Disclaimer on chapter one.
AN: Another longer wait, sorry working on other things and not being able to write, and then throw christmas into the mix and well chaos is a good word. Anyway, here is chapter ten, not sure what I think about it but let me know what you think. dark rolling sea.
Chapter Ten: Family Cooking

Kathy came in, after having left Ann outside at the fence with the horses, to find Gibbs and Kate on the couch with the two boys. She stopped in the doorway and smiled to herself, happy that her daughter finally found what she was looking for in life. She was glad that she was going to settle down at last, or at least get married and have a child.

She moved into the living room quietly and watched as Gibbs cradled the baby and Kate watched affectionately. She saw the love that ran between them and was no longer worried about her little girl. She sat down in the chair and Kate looked up.

"Hey, Mom," Kate said softly snuggling closer to Gibbs. Gibbs attention was still glued on Noah. Kathy watched him a moment.

"Hi, how's the little ones?" she asked.

"Doing well," Gibbs said looking up with a smile gracing his lips. Kathy smiled back at him and nodded.

"Kate, your brother's are coming back tonight and we've planned a family cookout," Kathy said. "That way everyone gets to know each other."

"Sounds good," Kate said.

"When's the rest of the wedding party coming in?"

"Well Jeb is here, he's Jethro's best man, and Hunter is the ring bearer. Hayley is the flower girl so she is already in town. My maid of honor Abby will be here tomorrow, Melanie is a bridesmaid so that's not a problem. Suzy will be here for the rehearsal. Tony, Ducky, and R. J. arrive on Wednesday, and I believe that covers it."

"So everyone should be in town by Wednesday then?"

"Yeah, they'll have a day to rest, then the rehearsal and the ceremony."

Kathy smiled, and rose from the chair. Kylie came in the front door then and made her way towards the boys. Gibbs looked up and nodded. He handed Noah over to his mother and watched as she took him into another room.

Hunter stood up from the floor and looked around. Kyler and Renee chose that moment to run down the stairs and into the living room arguing. Hunter watched them quizzically for a while as they bickered over whose turn it was to sit next to grandpa. He glanced at Gibbs for a second before continuing to watch the two argue. He tapped Renee on the shoulder lightly.

Stunned both kids stopped arguing and stared at Hunter. He looked at Kyler first then shifted his gaze to Renee. They both stared at Hunter. Gibbs was ready to intervene if necessary but Kate put a hand on his knee to keep him in place. He looked at Kate, but she was watching the children.

"Why you arguing over who sits next to your grandpa?" Hunter asked innocently. Gibbs felt the smile tug at his lips and felt the urge to laugh. He stifled it and noticed Kate duck her head using her hair to hide the smile on her face as well. Both Kyler and Renee looked at Hunter like he had grown a third head. He held his ground and stared right back at them.

"You haven't met our grandpa," Kyler said a small smile curling on his lips. Hunter cocked his head in confusion and Renee shook hers.

"You don't get it," she said. "Grandpa never shuts up."

"What's he talk about?"

"Everything, nothing, who knows. We don't really listen anymore," Renee said rolling her eyes.

"You don't listen? What if he tells you something important?" Hunter asked.

"Like what?" Kyler said insulted.

"Like…like how to get away from the bad guys," Hunter said. Gibbs perked up then and felt Kate shift beside him. The other two children looked at Hunter with suspicion. Hunter stared right back at them.

"What bad guys?" Kyler asked watching Hunter closely. Hunter looked at the ground for a moment and Gibbs leaned forward and touched his shoulder. Hunter glanced over at his grandpa and his brow furrowed.

"Never mind," Hunter said looking back at the other two. They both shrugged their shoulders and bolted out the front door resuming their argument. Hunter turned around so he was facing Gibbs.

"You ok, Buddy?" Gibbs asked.

"Yeah, Papa, but why don't they listen to their grandpa?"

"Their grandpa doesn't say the same things as yours does."

Gibbs could tell he didn't understand but Hunter didn't push the issue anymore so Gibbs let it drop. Hunter walked out the front door in search of his grandmother and Kate looked at Gibbs. Gibbs' attention lingered on the door, and Kate gently brushed her fingers down his face. He closed his eyes.

"He still has nightmares," Gibbs said softly.

"It take's time, Jethro," Kate said. Gibbs didn't reply. "I still have nightmares," Kate whispered leaning in closer.

Gibbs shifted in the seat so he could look at her. He studied her eyes and she let him. She was telling the truth. He leaned in and wrapped an arm around her and pulled her to his chest. She smiled against him and accepted his embrace.

"But you always make them go away," came her muffled voice as she spoke against his chest. Gibbs smiled and let her go.

It was a couple hours later before all of Kate's brothers and their families were once again assembled at Casa de Todd. Doug had the grill going and Josh and E. J. were both standing on each side of him making sure he didn't burn the food. Grandpa was sitting on the porch and for the most part everyone was steering clear. Gibbs wondered if he noticed, then he wondered if the old man cared.

There were a lot of kids charging around the yard playing different games and Gibbs scanned the area looking for Hunter. He saw him with three other boys by the dog kennel. He smiled.

It was then that he saw Josh coming towards him carrying a basketball. Gibbs chuckled. Josh came up next to him and stopped. He was staring at the court. Gibbs noticed that Kate's other three brothers were waiting on the court.

"Kate turned us down, but said you'd probably play. What about your boy?" Josh asked.

"I'll play but you'll have to ask Jeb." Gibbs said. He wasn't sure how he felt about it but he knew that Jeb had regained his strength and was running again every morning in California. Josh nodded with a smile and walked over to Jeb. Gibbs joined the others on the court. Jeb agreed to a game and they played three on three. The team of Gibbs, Josh, and Ryan, were wiping the floor against E. J., Charlie, and Jeb. That was until Jeb started to play. He had been holding back to judge everyone else's ability.

Although basketball was not his first choice in sports, he had played plenty of it with Jake and their friends growing up. When he turned it up it became a game and Kate's brothers were impressed. Gibbs was growing fatigued and hungry, while the others seemed to be thriving with the game. Finally someone yelled next bucket wins, and someone else yelled that the food was almost done.

Jeb had the ball and was charging down the court when Gibbs stepped into his path and stopped. Jeb's smaller frame slammed into Gibbs and a grunt escaped both bodies. Josh swooped around Gibbs body and scooped the ball away from Jeb. Ryan broke the other way and managed to get ahead of Charlie and Josh sent a high pass up to Ryan who dunked the ball through the rim for the winning score.

Gibbs smiled as he pulled Jeb to his feet. Jeb looked at him with cold eyes for a brief moment before a smile broke across his face and he laughed. Gibbs grinned back and then turned for the table. Everyone came together and the food was served.

Once the food was eaten the kids all broke for an open field and Hunter watched them go. It wasn't until they noticed they were one short, AJ didn't seem to want to partake in the game that Kyler came back to the table and stood behind Hunter.

"You want to play football with us?" he asked emotionlessly. Hunter looked at him then at the group of kids standing, waiting, in the open field.

"Sure," Hunter said and got up from his place. Gibbs caught his eye and Hunter stopped in front of his grandfather.

"Be good, don't be a poor sport," Gibbs said. Hunter smiled and nodded then took off to join the rest. Gibbs and Kate watched for a while but then they retreated into the house for conversation with the adults. It wasn't until the sun was long down that the kids slowly came into the house, each one showing the fatigue of a long day. Hunter came in with the three boys he had been playing with earlier in the day but soon abandoned them to sit on Gibbs' lap.

Kate was excited about tomorrow and Abby coming to town. She would get to meet the family. Kate was a little worried too on how her family would react to Abby. She had yet to tell her mother that Abby was Goth. It would certainly be interesting.

Soon most of the Todd's were gone and the few that were left were retiring to bed. Ann rounded up the troops and soon they too headed back to the hotel and Kate and Gibbs retreated to their room. Gibbs laid flat on the bed and closed his eyes for a moment and Kate sat down next to him.

"Abby comes in tomorrow," Kate said.

"Yeah, with McGee," Gibbs said with his eyes still closed.

"Jethro?" Kate said her mind going back to the conversation they had had on the couch earlier that day. Gibbs noticed the strain in her voice and opened his eyes. He sat up and stared at her.

"What?" he asked softly reaching out and running a finger down her cheek. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I meant what I said earlier."

"What was that?"

"About the nightmares."

"It's ok, I'll keep you safe," Gibbs said quietly as he scooted closer to her and draped his arms around her. She leaned in and put her forehead against his and closed her eyes.

"Not all the time, just sometimes."

"How come you never told me before?"

"I didn't want to worry you," she whispered close to tears. Gibbs pulled her tightly to him and laid his cheek against the top of her head.

"They will never take you again," Gibbs said in her ear. He felt her nod and then wrap her arms around him. They stayed in that position for a while before Kate let go and lay down on the bed. She was slipping into sleep when Gibbs lay down as well and encircled her with his arms.

TBC…