Chapter 3 - Sunrise

Gibbs and Trisha got back to the house around 7am. Trisha had insisted on staying out to watch the sunrise and spent half an hour trying to convince Gibbs to do so.

Earlier, 6AM

"Come on Gibbs, it's only like fifteen minutes away now!"

"Yea, but that's fifteen more minutes before I can get coffee."

"Gibbs!"

"But Trisha, we're talking about coffee here!"

"Geeze, you really have an unhealthy addiction to that stuff, don't you?"

"Trisha, it's not unhealthy. I've been drinking it for years."

"Wait, did you just admit that you're addicted to coffee? Ha! Kate was right after all…"

"Kate told you I'm addicted to coffee?"

"Yea, when we were over at Abby's place we were discussing you and… I've said too much…"

"See, that's what I don't get with you ladies! Every time a small group of your kind gets together…"

"Hold up there Special Agent Gibbs. It wasn't me, I was just talking about the last time I played ice hockey and then Abby and Kate just started shooting out facts about you."

"Uh huh. So…"

"So what?"

"Well what did they say about me?"

"Um, well, I'm going to say probably everything they know about you. And some of it I just didn't want to hear. I'm only 12, you know."

"They said what?"

"Kate kept talking about how good of a kisser you are. And when she broke into the part about when her gum ended up in your mouth I… I gotta stop before I gag."

"Well if it makes you feel any better, the gum was still pretty minty."

"STOP! Don't talk to me, that's nasty. Ugh, quit laughing Gibbs!"

At this point Gibbs grabbed Trisha and pulled her into a bear hug. He flipped her over and started tickling her until she promised to tell him everything that Kate and Abby had told her. Eventually Gibbs sat against the giant oak tree. Trisha sat between his legs on the blanket and leaned back against him as he enfolded his arms around her until the sun rose into the sky and spread its rays to the ground below.

"Ok, I'll admit that that was worth the wait. But can we go get coffee now? Are you listening to me, Trisha? And…you're asleep."

Gibbs stood up before he threw Trisha over his shoulder and carried her, wrapped in the blanket, back to the car. He stopped and got his beloved coffee before making his way back to the house. Trisha slept the entire time.

Current Time, Gibbs' House

Kate woke up to a completely empty bed, which she found odd. She knew Trisha hated mornings and expected her to still be sleeping. She also figured that if Trisha were still sleeping Gibbs would be with her, even if he usually got up early.

Kate thought back to last night when Gibbs lost his temper and started yelling at the little girl. She had been standing next to the doorway and ready to jump into the room to defend Trisha. When she heard Trisha crying Kate began to step forward, but hearing Gibbs' apology stopped her in her tracks. He had actually told someone that he was sorry. She also noticed that Gibbs let his walls around his heart drop when he was with Trisha.

Kate paid the bathroom a visit and grabbed a shower. She walked into the living room to turn on the news, but she found the television already on and Gibbs' silvery hair peaking out above his black leather recliner. She walked to the side of the recliner and gave Gibbs a kiss on his forehead. Trisha, still wrapped in the blanket, was sound asleep on Gibbs.

His eyes fluttered before opening. "Hey," Gibbs smiled sleepily at Kate. "Did you get my note?"

Kate shook her head, "Nope, I just woke up. Where did you guys go?" She nodded at Trisha, "Isn't she hurting your ribs?"

"We went clubbing with Tony," Gibbs said with a smirk. "And she's fine, no problem there." He felt Trisha shift her body and spoke more softly. "Just go read my note Kate, I don't want to wake her up. She didn't get much sleep last night," Gibbs said with a yawn.

"Looks like you didn't either, Jethro." She got another blanket and covered Gibbs and Trisha with it. She was about to walk away when she saw his muddy boots. Kate untied the laces and took them off. She carried them to the kitchen and set them down on the tile floor before reading Gibbs' note. Kate smiled and walked back to Gibbs and Trisha, but she found Gibbs had fallen asleep and was snoring softly. His head rested against Trisha's.

Kate went outside to the mailbox and retrieved the mail. She was flipping through Gibbs' bills when she found a letter addressed to Trisha. It was from Rochelle. 'This should make her happy,' Kate thought. She went back inside the house and put the mail on the kitchen counter before writing a note to Gibbs:

Jethro,

Went to do some errands and then meeting Abby for lunch. Be home around 3pm. Love you.

Katie

She made her way to Gibbs and Trisha and gave them both a quick kiss before heading out the door.

A/N: Sorry for the briefness of this chapter. Big political science exam coming up tomorrow; wish me luck!