A/N: Thanks to everyone who has read, is reading, and will continue to read my insanity :) And of course to those with the lovely reviews. Love to you as well :) Now, I think this is done.. yeah. I think it is my pets. Maybe a sequel (4-quel?) in some near-to-distant future.. but for now.. 'this house is clean...' Keep on keepin' on cats and kittens :) Let me know how this all came out. (Happy holiday weekend to all :). )
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The heavy door creaked, announcing her arrival, as Kate peeked her head around the edge of it: peering cautiously into Gibbs' house as if he'd just suddenly jump out at her. The house appeared completely dark from the outside, and once she was satisfied that her observation held its ground from the inside as well, she carefully slipped in and shut the door behind her.
After grasping that Gibbs was probably fast asleep somewhere, she relaxed and acknowledged the cool air emanating slowly from one of several AC vents. She shivered with a small "hmmm." She'd take a shiver over a swelter any hot day of the week. Kate guardedly continued deeper into the house, still not fully convinced that Gibbs wasn't going to pop up behind her. In her head, she could already hear his sugary, mirthful tone, asking her what exactly she was doing; she could clearly see his impish smirk in her mind. She glanced over her shoulder in paranoid anticipation.
Standing in the threshold of the kitchen, she was debating on her next move when she noticed the cracked basement door (what she could only assume was the basement door anyway). Silently, she strode over and poked her head through the small opening that Gibbs had left, peering down the dimly lit wooden staircase and trying to determine whether he was really down there. Kate edged on; taking a stair at a time, she ducked down slightly to take a precautious glance at the basement from the upper steps. A solitary light bulb hung exposed from the ceiling, bathing the basement, the boat, and Gibbs, as luck would have it, in a faint and muted glow. She inhaled the scent of sawdust and faintly smiled.
Kate maneuvered the last few steps in a careful hush before walking steadily alongside the boat, taking it all in an ounce at a time. Oh Kate, what are you doing… Her common sense wasn't liking this brazen visit, but she walked closer to Gibbs and found herself sitting and balancing herself on her heels beside him on the floor. She exhaled without a sound and cocked her head to one side; exploring his face with delicate scrutiny, an inspection she wished she had the chance to perform more often.
Kate impulsively acted on the urge to brush her fingertips against the side of his face. Before her fingers touched his slightly stubbled cheek, eyes still closed, Gibbs' hand came up and gently grabbed her wrist. He anchored her down with his grip, and wound up pulling her down to him as she completely lost her balance with his sudden movement. Gibbs' eyes flickered open with surprise once he felt the weight of her come down against his chest. He couldn't say that he'd complain.
Kate grumbled lightly with a panicky huff, "Damn it, Gibbs.." She wet her lips reflexively as she brought her eyes up to his. His blue irises grew darker as he squinted at her, gradually becoming fully awake; and fully aware of her.
"You're in my basement." He said, hoarse with sleep.
Kate blinked and began to vaguely panic on the inside. "You said—"
"I know what I said. Didn't think you'd come…" The corner of his mouth rose slightly and she relaxed against him, just a bit. Finally realizing their intimate nearness, she anxiously, accidentally shifted above him, almost cringing after doing so, as she heard him clear his throat. The heat from her body sank steadily down and melted against his clothes as her nervous breath dissipated upon the sensitive skin of his neck. Gibbs resisted the urge to wrap an arm around her waist and pull her tight against him when he felt her breathing become a little heavier. Kate swallowed and looked down to him again; he gently squeezed her wrist that he still had a hold of.
"Gibbs..." his name tumbled from her lips softly as she searched his face for a reason to get up and walk away. Kate tested the waters when she didn't find a concrete answer to that question: she softly, subtly shifted her hips in contact with his as she reached her free hand to the side of his neck— no longer trying to support herself above him, she gently let all of her weight settle on top of him. Completely taken with the look of longing that fleetingly passed across his features, she slowly brought her face down to his; their lips scarcely touching as their slight breath merged and softly pillowed against each other's lips.
He remained perfectly still for a good minute, hesitant as how to continue. But any remnants of his professional resolve shattered as he shamelessly covered the infinitesimal gap that separated them, covering her lips and sliding his hands to her back. With a muted grunt, he pulled her down against him as her body covered his. The kiss was soft, but not without its rough edges.
In a swift motion, knocking over a can of nails to cascade across the basement floor, Gibbs rolled over with Kate in the opposite direction. Supporting himself on his hands, he hovered dangerously above her as he hungrily pressed his lips against hers. Kate groaned lightly into his mouth as he brushed her lower lip lightly with his tongue before firmly pushing into her mouth. He began the most enjoyable task of memorizing every soft curve of her mouth; she tasted just like he imagined she would.
Kate dragged her fingernails down the front of his shirt and slid them to his waist with purpose, gripping his hips and forcing his body to lay flush against hers. He grunted softly and reluctantly broke away from her soft lips, that he'd be sure to bruise at this rate. He looked to her with careful, "are-you-sure" eyes, and she smiled warmly as her breathing slowed.
"You don't have to coddle me, Gibbs." She said huskily, running her palm up his chest and resting it on his shoulder. Kate raised an eyebrow and murmured, "Is there somewhere else, though… without.. cement flooring and a threat of tetanus..." She smirked as he gave her one of his seldom-seen, but very inviting, ear-to-ear grins. He lowered his head so his lips brushed against her ear; she shivered with his slow whisper,
"I thought you wanted some sleep, Kate.." He pressed a kiss to the soft spot behind her ear before lacing several more down to the hollow of her throat. He felt her swallow beneath his lips. He looked to her eyes with his mouth still softly against her neck.
She whispered throatily in return, "What I want, Gibbs.. has very little to do with sleep." His eyes widened slightly at her candor and he smiled in surprised amusement. She had an uncanny way of keeping him in his place, but always guessing— one of the many things he liked about Caitlin Todd. One of the many things he loved.
He brought a hand to her waist as he pressed a slow kiss to her collar bone. Kate hummed at the loss of contact as Gibbs slowly rolled off of her body, and sat up beside her. She lay there still, and looked to him with dark, half-lidded eyes, watching him as he stared off to the other side of the basement. She rolled onto her side to face him, reaching over her hand to touch his forearm. When he looked to her, she had herself propped up on her elbow, her cheek pressed up against the palm of her hand. She smiled at him affectionately; a smile that he gladly returned.
He looked down to his lap, his smile turning into an open-mouthed grin as he closed his eyes and shook his head. A throaty chuckle escaped him followed by a sigh as he slapped his knees and hoisted himself off the floor. Gibbs offered her his hand with that unmistakable twinkle in his eyes.
Kate looked up to him and tilted her head to one side. "No such thing as coincidence, Gibbs?" She questioned expectantly.
He smirked as she took hold of his hand, "Nope."