Title: Cabin Fever
Author: MindyH
Chapter: Date
I've had enough peace and quiet and am ready for a little society, so at lunch, I suggest to Gibbs a night out. The cinema in town is a little behind the times – I've already seen "Pirates of the Caribbean" but as it's the only movie they're showing, I suppose I can see it again. Gibbs is reluctant though.
"It has boats in it," I wheedle hopefully.
"Boats? Or ships?" he asks seriously.
My face lights up: "Both, actually."
He smiles and agrees, saying he knows of a nice restaurant where we can get a good meal beforehand. I hug him, rather excited. It's our first real date, I realize with amazement.
I take a long soak in the bathtub in the late afternoon, drowning myself in the scent of rosewood and calendula. I can hear Gibbs working on the row boat out back and the birds crowing loudly in the trees. I close my eyes, dozing lazily for a long time until Gibbs knocks on the door and steps inside.
He pulls his shirt over his head and tosses it aside, taking a moment to look down at me in the bath. I love the way his eyes rake over me, like I'm everything he's ever dreamed of, wrapped up in one woman. His gaze is lingering and forthright and I don't bother to hide or move. I'm his to look at, love and know.
He says quietly that we need to leave soon and moves to the sink to shave. Somehow I am immeasurably touched by the fact that he is shaving for me, for a casual meal and movie in the sleepy, old town down the hill.
From the bathtub, I admire the muscles of his back and arms as he slathers shaving soap on his cheeks and draws the razor over the weathered skin of his face in practiced moves. It's mesmerizing – curiously erotic – and I can't make myself stop watching.
He finishes, splashing water over his face and scrubbing it through his hair. Then he turns towards me, leaning down and planting both hands on either side of the tub. I smile and slide down a little further into the water, holding his gaze as he looks at me with a slightly pensive smirk. He doesn't say anything, just stares at my face, and I stare right back, reaching out to touch his clean-shaven, baby-soft skin.
"C'mon, my love," he murmurs finally, kissing me on the forehead: "We'll be late."
I smile again to myself as he leaves the bathroom, because it's the first time he's used an endearment without me using one first or prompting him. I douse myself one last time and then step out.
He's combing his wet hair when I enter the bedroom, a fresh blue shirt slung about his shoulders. It feels very domestic, getting dressed in the same room together, especially in this quiet house. Gibbs buttons his shirt slowly and combs his hair again, more than is probably required, watching from the corner of his eye as I slip on the black dress I have laid out. It's casual but stylish, with a halter neck and bare back, most unlike the work clothes that Gibbs is used to seeing me in. I'm glad I thought to bring it.
He goes to search for the car keys which we haven't needed in days as I let down my hair, brush it out and put on some pearl earrings and low heels. I'm standing at the little dresser, putting on the finishing touches when he appears in the doorway, car keys in hand and effortlessly gorgeous. The look on his face tells me he approves of the dress, and I feel his hand taste the skin of my back as he guides me out the front door.
The restaurant he takes me to is a small Italian joint with the requisite red and white checkered table-cloths and dangerously delicious cuisine. The owner and head waiter is a slight, elderly man named Brandon who kisses my hand as Gibbs introduces me. Like the rest of the town, he seems pleased that Gibbs has someone to eat his dinner with now. He provides us with a beautiful bottle of red and laughs vigorously when I order our meals in stumbling Italian.
When he leaves us, Gibbs leans across the little table, eyes twinkling intensely. I'm sure he knows I speak Italian, because it's in my personnel file. But I know he's never heard me and though I'm rusty, I silently bless my Italian Nonna who always insisted I practice my Italian with her.
"Well, that was…" he nods and coolly smoothes one hand over the table cloth. He clears his throat: "Possibly the sexiest thing I've ever witnessed in my life," he admits and I giggle low in my throat, with satisfaction.
"Grazie," I grin, cheekily as he captures my hand across the table.
"Keep it up and we won't make it to the movie," he jokes warningly and I decide to behave because I like Johnny Depp. And because two generous plates of bruchetta arrive promptly at our table and my mouth waters at just the smell of warm garlic and olives.
Gibbs was right, the food is superb and after leisurely enjoying our dinner, we take our full stomachs and tipsy heads for a walk down to the cinema, strolling hand in hand, looking in closed shop windows and gazing at the stars.
Gibbs gets in line to purchase tickets, then hands me his wallet to get us some coffees. It's the sort of cinema where they still serve coffee in real cups and saucers and allow you to take it in with you. As I open Gibbs' wallet to pull out a note, I spot a photo in the clear insert.
I am stunned but, unlike the other one I found, I'm proud of this image. It's the photo Gibbs took of me in my favorite green sweater, sitting on the white swing on the front porch of the cabin. I'd had the roll of film developed when we came into town the first time, but I had no idea he'd taken this one and kept it.
I hand over the money dazedly, taking the coffees and joining Gibbs in silence. I have no idea if he handed me the wallet knowing that I would see the picture inside, but if I wasn't carrying two hot coffees, I would throw my arms around him and kiss him silly. Instead, I dutifully deliver his coffee and follow him inside. When we've taken our seats, I lean across and kiss him softly and thoroughly.
"What was that for?" he asks.
"Ti amo con tutto il cuore," I reply in a whisper.
"Hm?" Gibbs looks at me with a creased brow.
"Quiero hacerte el amor toda la noche," I promise him for later. I smile at his bemused expression and tuck my head into his shoulder, vowing that if he doesn't understand now, I'll make sure he soon will.
For the full story rated NC17 go to the NCIS Fanfiction Archive. Thanks for all the positve feedback on both versions and thanks for reading!