Chapter 9 - Raspberries

Kate had picked out 'The Notebook' and had handed the DVD case to Gibbs so he could put the disc into the player. He looked at the cover for a minute before he flipped over the case to read the synopsis on the back. Gibbs frowned, "There is no way that you're putting me through another love story, Kate. I'm not watching this."

Kate, who was sitting on the bed and propped up against pillows, rolled her eyes in response. "Oh come on, Jethro. It's not going to kill you to watch it. Besides," she added, "it's sweet."

Gibbs shook his head. "Nope. No way, no how. My manliness can't handle all this."

"Gibbs, please!" she snorted. "You're worried about your manliness? Didn't you just punch a guy in the face? I'd say that's pretty manly. What do you say, Trisha?" Kate asked as she turned to her.

Trisha was sitting on the other side of the bed. "Oh no, I don't think so! I'm not choosing sides here," she exclaimed as she threw her hands up. "You two work it out."

"What movie do you want to watch, Gibbs?" Kate asked. She folded her arms across her chest.

Gibbs smiled, "I dunno. Something with blood. And stuff has to blow up!"

Kate sighed with a little annoyance. "For God's sake Jethro, how old are you?"

"Well, I'm this many, Katie!" Gibbs exclaimed in a stupid voice as he held up all ten of his fingers and wiggled them at her.

Kate's eyebrows went up. "Did you get hit in the head recently?"

"Nope, my inner child wants to come out and play," he said with a smirk. Gibbs locked eyes with Kate as he slowly crawled up the bed, his eyes never leaving hers. He pulled his body over hers, placing one hand on either side of her head and holding himself above her with his arms. Gibbs gazed into Kate's brown eyes and smiled before he gently lowered himself, allowing his lips to meet hers.

Kate noticed Gibbs' gentleness, but she wanted more. She reached up and ran her hand along his flexed arms, down his back, and upwards into his silver hair. She pulled his head closer with one hand, allowing her other to travel to his broad chest. Kate massaged his upper body, eliciting a moan from Gibbs.

Trisha, who was still on the other side of the bed, wrinkled her nose in disgust. She grabbed a pillow from behind her, lifted it above her head, and whack! brought it down on an unsuspecting Gibbs and Kate. "Seriously people, that's enough!" she yelled as she hit them again with the pillow.

Finally Gibbs rolled off Kate and towards the middle of the bed. "What?" he asked Trisha innocently.

"What do you mean what? If you guys are gonna keep up this free show, let me get outta here. Remember when I told you that I didn't care if you kissed in front of me? Yea, I lied!" she exclaimed as she moved to get off the bed.

Gibbs lunged for her and pulled Trisha back down on the bed. He put his hand in the middle of her chest and pinned her down. "Don't worry, there's plenty of lovin' to go around!" he exclaimed. He moved his head closer to Trisha's and grinned. "You wanna smoochie, too?"

Trisha put both of her hands on Gibbs' shoulders and pushed him. "Ew, Gibbs! What's wrong with you? Get away from me!" she yelled.

"Aw, come on! Show me a little love!" He held his face above Trisha's and made kissing noises.

Trisha reached up and put her hand in the middle of Gibbs' forehead, pushing his head away. "I swear to God, Gibbs! Cut it out!"

Gibbs stuck out his lower lip and pouted. "Ok, I get it. A guy can take a hint. I know when I'm not loved back," he stated dejectedly. He began to move away from Trisha.

"Huh?" Trisha asked. "Hey I never said tha…"

"Gotcha!" Gibbs declared as he swiftly turned back around to Trisha, pulled up her shirt, and gave her a raspberry on her belly.

"Ahhhh, Gibbs!" she squealed and starting giggling. She tried to push him off of her, but he was too strong.

Gibbs stopped and picked his head up. He looked lovingly into Trisha's face. "Now tell me you love me, or I'll do it again!"

Trisha stared back at him. "Aw, Gibbs. Come on, don't make me say it! It sounds so corny!"

He nodded, "Ok, have it your way then," he stated. He took a deep breath and dove back to Trisha's stomach for another raspberry.

"Gibbs!" Trisha gasped between giggles. "Kate, help me!" she pleaded.

Kate complied and grabbed both of Gibbs' legs. She pulled as hard as she could and yanked him away from Trisha. He quickly tried to get a hold of Kate and made a grab for her arms by twisting his body. Kate saw his mistake and, using one of her best Secret Service moves, flipped him onto his back and laid her body across his chest, pinning him to the bed. "Trisha," she breathed as she reached and un-tucked Gibbs' shirts, "payback time!"

"Yes!" Trisha yelled. She dove for Gibbs's stomach, took the largest breath her lungs would allow, and gave him the biggest raspberry she could. When she ran out of air, she inhaled again, moved to a different spot, and gave him another one.

Gibbs was wiggling around under Kate, but she had him in a good hold. He was trying his best to suppress his laughter, but when Trisha hit a spot right above his belly button he totally lost it. "Trisha!" he yelled between gasps. "Please! I'm sorry, I won't do it again! Argghhh!"

Trisha finally let up and pulled Gibbs' shirts back down. She sat back on her heels, put her hand on her hips, and said, "See, that's what you get!"

Kate took the opportunity to scramble off of Gibbs and out of his reach. She got off the bed and stood up. "Anyone want something to drink?" she asked as she headed to the door. When Gibbs made a slight move, Kate headed for the kitchen. "I'll make some lemonade!" she called over her shoulder, leaving Trisha with Gibbs.

Gibbs sighed and rolled over, laying face down on the bed. Trisha smiled and crawled over to him before also laying face down on his back. She wrapped her arms under his body and could feel his heart beating quickly.

When Gibbs' breathing evened out again, he raised himself off the bed a little and dumped Trisha off of him. He turned over and laid down with his head on the pillows. "Come here, Trish," he said softly. When she got close enough, he put his hands under her arms and lifted her up on top of his body so that they were laying chest to chest.

Trisha got herself situated and nestled into Gibbs' neck. She reached over and began playing with his hand; she took her small index finger and started tracing the outline of Gibbs' large hand on the bed.

Gibbs ran his other hand soothingly across her back. "You don't really want to watch 'The Notebook' do you?" he asked, hoping she would say no.

Trisha could feel her eyelids growing heavy as the movement of Gibbs' hand on her back lulled her to sleep. "Can we watch 'The Sandlot'?"

He leaned his chin against the top of her head. "Yea," he agreed, "that's a good one."

Trisha closed her eyes when Gibbs let one hand run through her hair. "Hey Gibbs?"

"Yea, kid?" he answered.

"I'm glad I found you," Trisha said softly.

Gibbs smiled and continued to rub her back. "I'm glad you found me, too," he replied.

"Gibbs?" she asked again.

"What?" He ran his hand through her hair.

"I'm glad I decided to come live with you," she stated quietly as she began to drift to sleep.

Gibbs felt a warm feeling wash over him. "I'm glad you're here with me."

"And Gibbs?" Trisha whispered.

"Mmm hmm," he whispered back.

"I love you," Trisha muttered as she drifted to sleep.

Gibbs closed his eyes and nuzzled her head with his chin. He wrapped both of his arms around her body as he sighed contently. "Love you, too, baby."