Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or its characters. I do not profit from them. I just take them out for a joy ride then put them back. Any characters not associated with the television series are of my own creation.

AN: I'm back with part three! Yes you all asked for it and the idea was in my head so here is goes. I'm not entirely sure what direction it is going to take but we'll see what kind of ride it offers. Since we know Kate is from Indiana on the show...guess what...yep road trip to Indiana. Now I didn't know what town she was from and ifit has been said on the show I apologize but I made her from Syracuse (and yeah there is a real Syracuse Indiana). Just to let you know I've made up my own area, so its not a exact replica of the real town I just barrowed the name and general location. So on to the third installment...enjoy...dark rolling sea.


Chapter One: The Plans

It had taken Kate almost a month to organize and get everything in order. They had decided to have the wedding in Indiana in Kate's hometown. This idea was actually Gibbs' idea after a conversation he had with Kate when they were discussing locales.

"So how many people are in your family?" Gibbs asked.

"Immediate family? I have my four brothers, their wives, kids, and of course my parents. Not to mention cousins and aunts, uncles, I have a grandparent, nieces, nephews…" Kate said. Gibbs held up a hand to stop her. She looked at him. "What?"

"Ok, break it down, how many in your immediate family?"

"Well of course both my parents, then I have four brothers, each married. That's ten right there," Kate began.

"You already beat me," Gibbs said. Kate ignored him and continued.

"They all have children. My oldest brother Josh and his wife Carrie have three kids, fourteen, twelve, and ten. My brother Ryan and his wife Paula have five children, thirteen, ten, eight, six, and four. My brother Charlie and his wife Terri have four children, nine, six, four, and baby Ike is one now. Then my younger brother E. J. and his wife Mel have three kids. Robbie is seven and the twins Kaci and Taci are four."

"And you can keep all these people straight?" Gibbs said a little amazed at the sheer size of her family. He on the other hand had only the NCIS team, and the seven out in California, plus Donovan.

"Yes, Jethro, I can. Quite easily," Kate said with a smile. "Want me to go through each kid, wait till you meet the aunts, uncles, and cousins, not to mention their kids."

"No, no that's quite all right. I think you just settled the location issue."

"How so?"

"Instead of transplanting half the state of Indiana, why don't we just have it there and I can have my part fly in for the week."

"Really? Are you sure because…"

"It's ok, Kate, like I said before, plan it, whatever you want we will do."

"Indiana it is then."

"Where in Indiana," Gibbs asked.

"Well we could go in my home town of Syracuse, or any surrounding area."

"Syracuse? Never heard of a Syracuse Indiana."

"What town have you heard of from Indiana?"

"Indianapolis," Gibbs said confidently.

"Great you know the capitol. Know any others?"

"Ah, well, I guess not," Gibbs said with a smile. "Not worth learning if nothing ever comes from that state."

Kate raised her eyebrows at him and he immediately back pedal realizing what he had just said. He stepped closer to her and wrapped his arms around her. He leaned in close.

"Well except you of course," he said softly. "And now I know there is a Syracuse in Indiana," he said then leaned in for a kiss. Kate looked at up him with skeptical eyes before she smiled.

"You can learn all about the Hoosier state when we get there. Just a warning my grandfather likes history."

"Lucky me," Gibbs said letting her go.

It was settled they would plan the wedding to be in Indiana. Kate wasn't sure on the exact location she wanted but she still had a little time to figure that out. They were pushing to have the wedding within the next month or so. Kate was already two months pregnant. They let Gibbs' side know that the wedding was going to be in Indiana and they all said it was fine and started to make arrangements for travel. Even Donovan said he could make it.

The rest of the team said they wouldn't mind traveling and Kate and Gibbs thanked them for that. They all said they understood about Kate's family being so large. Kate then set out on the painstaking task of picking bridesmaids. First on her mind was Abby. She had to have Abby in her wedding. Kate approached her one day in the lab.

"Hey, Abbs," Kate said as she came in the lab. She had to shout a little to be heard over the loud music. Abby went over and turned it down. She had a smile on her face.

"Hey, Kate, what can I do for you?"

"I have a question for you, Abbs."

"Ok, shoot," Abby said making a gun with her hand and pretending to fire it. Kate smiled.

"Well I was thinking about the wedding and was wondering if you'd be my maid of honor?" Kate asked. Abby's mouth dropped open and her hand came up to it. She broke into a wicked grin and closed the gap between Kate and her quickly. Kate braced for impact as Abby crashed into her and wrapped her arms around Kate.

"I'll take that as a yes than," Kate said with a laugh as Abby finally released her. Abby took a step back and grinned.

"Hell yes, that's a yes, Kate!" Abby said excitedly. "Wait am I going to have to dress in some floral print stiff dress?" Abby asked suddenly. Kate couldn't help but laugh at Abby's expression.

"We'll work something out, Abby. All though my mother may object but I don't care, Abbs. I want you in my wedding party," Kate said sincerely. Abby grinned again.

"You know you just ruined the day for everyone else," Abby said with a huge smile.

"How's that?"

"Because I am NOT going to get any more work done today."

Kate only smiled and then turned to leave. She left Abby bubbling with excitement as she made her way back upstairs. One down, three more to go. Kate knew who she wanted in her wedding for at least two of the others. The wife of her younger brother and one of her cousins. She just had to decide on the fourth one.

She decided to call her cousin Megan Todd first. Kate and Megan had been very close growing up. Megan was only a year younger than Kate and they lived in the same town. With Kate not having any sisters she looked at Megan as the one she never had.

"Hello," Megan said when she answered the phone.

"Hey, Meg, it's Kate."

"Kate! It's been too long. I heard your wedding is going to be here?"

"Yeah. That's why I'm calling actually."

"Oh?"

"Well I need a bridesmaid…want to be one?"

"You serious?"

"Of course, Meg!" Kate said with a laugh. "How could I get married and not have my sister next to me."

"Good point. Of course I'll be a bridesmaid."

"Thanks, Meg. We can catch up when I get back to Indiana."

"Yeah, I can't wait to meet the man that snagged you, Kate."

"Soon enough. See you soon."

"I'll be waiting."

Two down two to go. Next she called her sister-in-law Melanie. She also accepted the position of bridesmaid and couldn't wait to see Kate again. Kate was beginning to realize she had been away from home for far too long. She was all the sudden home sick and grateful to be going back to Indiana. She never thought she would feel that way, when she left she couldn't get out of the state fast enough. Times change she thought. Maybe she just missed her family so much. The kids must have grown so much; she couldn't wait to see them.

She just needed one more bridesmaid but she couldn't make the decision. She had two cousins in mind but she didn't know how to choose between them. She finally decided to let Gibbs decide unbeknownst to him. She brought it up casually in conversation.

"Who should I call next, my cousin Suzy or my cousin Lex?" Kate asked.

"I don't care," Gibbs said idly as he fixed dinner. Kate sat defeated at the table.

"Just pick one," Kate said.

"Why?" Gibbs asked turning from the counter and raising an eyebrow at her. She was looking at the table, unable to look up at him. Gibbs waited but she didn't answer. He figured there was a deeper meaning to his picking a name but he didn't know what. "What am I picking?"

"Have you picked your groomsmen yet?"

"Jeb is my best man, Ducky, Tony, and Donovan. Pretty much only men in my life, besides I thought Hunter was a little young."

"Ring bearer?"

"I had that thought. I think we should have him. You don't have any one from your side to fill the shoes?"

"Ring bearer should be from your side, Jethro. Besides Hunter will be adorable in a tux."

"Just like is grandpa," Gibbs said with a devious grin. Kate laughed and looked up at him.

"Call Suzy." Gibbs said. Kate nodded.

"Thanks."

"She the fourth bridesmaid now?"

"You know me too well."

"Glad I could help," Gibbs said turning back around to continue with dinner.

Kate called her cousin Suzy Wexford who gladly accepted the final bridesmaid spot. Kate was happy now. They almost had the wedding party mapped out. Only the flower girl remained. She knew the perfect match for Hunter. Her brother Ryan had a little girl about the same age as Hunter. She called him up and asked him if Hayley would be willing to do it. Her brother asked Hayley and she said she would and Kate finalized the wedding party.

Things were shaping up. All Kate had to do now was pick dress colors and get a location. She thought dresses came next. She was thinking of putting each bridesmaid in a different color. She really liked the idea. She decided she needed to pick four colors. Her first choice was a dark blue. Next she thought red would go good. She figured on a dark green and then a deep purple would also look nice. Four colors down. Now she just needed to get a style and a location.

She had her mother planning the reception. It was one less ordeal she had to deal with. She was glad her mother had approached her with the idea; it would have been extremely stressful to do that and the wedding planning. Gibbs was helping out a lot and it almost shocked Kate. He just give her a smile and then continue what he was doing before he stopped to help. She hardly ever had to ask him, he just seemed to know when he was needed. Fourth time she thought, maybe he had learned something.

Things were coming together and she finally had the dresses picked out, everyone had picked them up and were having them fitted. She asked Gibbs if he had the tuxedoes taken care of. He informed her that it was all finalized and ready to go. The day to go to Indiana was approaching quickly and the team was granted a ten day vacation.

As the day got closer Gibbs asked what the travel plans were. Kate said she had them booked on a flight from Washington DC to Fort Wayne Indiana. From there they would travel about an hour and a half northwest to Syracuse. Gibbs asked if there was an airport closer, Kate told him there was one in South Bend but it was an hour and twenty minute car ride southeast to get to Syracuse from there. Gibbs nodded. Middle of nowhere, he thought but didn't dare say out loud. Kate read his mind though and smiled.

"Yeah, I come from the middle of no where Indiana, Jethro, but really there isn't much there to begin with."

Gibbs only nodded. He just hoped this week didn't do him in. No where to escape, trapped with Kate's massive family. He only hoped he would have his own personal space. He inquired on their lodging. Kate told him they were going to stay with her parent's until after the wedding, and then she had other plans. Gibbs raised his eyebrows, but she didn't say anything more. The day came and they made their flight. It landed in Fort Wayne Indiana and the rented a small car. Kate drove since she knew the way and they made good time. An hour and a half later, after traveling mostly through open fields, they arrived at a large three story home on a large parcel of land. They were there, Kate's parents' house.

TBC…


AN: To all of you who have read the first two and left me reviews I am greatly honored. I never expected when I started posting here that I would receive such a warm barage of fans. I have to admit I am a little flabbergasted at the amount of praise I receive. I am truly honored that all of you are enjoying my work on such a personal level. It is my goal as a writer to reach out to each reader and give them a unique experience with the story. Thank you so much again for all the reviews and I hope that you continue to read on Thank you all again. dark rolling sea.