Disclaimer on chapter one.

AN: Holy crap stain, Batman! Yes! I'm updating this one! Whoo hoo, come on all cheer with me now...YAY. Ok...so the long awaited chapter 23. It's the rehearsal, so enjoy. dark rolling sea.


Chapter Twenty-Three: The Rehearsal

Kate and Gibbs arrived at the church where their wedding was to be held. Kate had originally wanted an outside wedding, but her mother had convinced her that Indiana spring was too unpredictable to have an outside wedding. Kate had reluctantly agreed at first, but now that she had arrived she was happy with her choice.

The church was large enough to hold everyone her mother had invited, but still small enough to not feel overwhelming. Kate had talked her mother out of booking a Catholic church for the ceremony. Kate knew it just wasn't what she wanted, and knew Gibbs would be more comfortable with a less formal ceremony.

As they entered they were greeted by Pastor Lutz, and both shook hands with him. Lutz then explained what was going to happen tonight, walking through the process. Kate was still extremely nervous and she looked over to Gibbs. He was watching her with a grin on his face, and as soon as the Pastor was done explaining she got him off to the side.

"What?" she asked studying his eyes.

"What?" he said in return his face split into a huge grin. Kate shook her head.

"The grin, Jethro, what's up?"

"I have to say," Gibbs began as he stepped closer to her and rested his hands on her shoulders gently. His eyes traveled down her body and back up to her eyes before he continued. "I'm nervous."

Kate stared at him in awe, before a smile crept across her face. They stood a moment staring at each other before Gibbs let out a small laugh. Kate leaned in and wrapped her arms around him, placing her ear against his chest.

"So am I," she admitted and pulled back slightly from him, before looking around for everyone else. "Is everyone here?"

Gibbs looked around seeing his family sitting off to the side talking. Hunter spotted him at that moment and grinned. Gibbs couldn't help but smile at the boy, who was decked out in a small suit. The boy leaped from the chair he was on and trotted across the room. Gibbs squatted down and scooped Hunter into his arms when he got there.

"Papa," Hunter said with a giggle. Gibbs smiled back at the boy. "When are we starting?"

"Soon, Buddy, soon ok?" Gibbs replied sliding the boy back to the ground. Hunter stood next to Gibbs and looked around.

"I think everyone is here. Let's find the Pastor again and get this thing rolling."

"Yeah, I'm ready for the dinner part," Gibbs said. Kate playfully slapped him in the chest and gave him a look. Gibbs smiled at her.

Kate went off to find the Pastor while Gibbs walked with Hunter over to the rest of his family. They all stood and greeted him when they got there. Ann gave him a knowing smile and he shook his head. He tried to keep the nervousness in his stomach from reaching his face. To most of the people he could do it, but certain people in the room were picking up on it.

The rest of Kate's family was mingling about the church in small groups. There were quite a few bodies in the church. After Kate told the Pastor they were all present he went to the front and garnered everyone's attention. Once it was quiet he began.

"First I'd like to welcome you all this evening in this joyous occasion; my name is Pastor William Lutz. We will run through the ceremony tonight, so that everyone will know what is going to happen. Is everyone from the wedding party here?" Pastor Lutz said.

"Yes," Kate said motioning to the various people who were part of the wedding party. The group came together standing behind Gibbs and Kate.

"All right, may I please have the groom and groomsmen up here?" Pastor Lutz continued. Gibbs stepped forward with the other four guys and Hunter came up with him. "You will begin the ceremony up here with me, and then after the ceremony is when you will escort the bride's party." They all nodded that they understood. "If you would line up in the order that you will be standing in tomorrow, please. Start with the groom, then best man and so forth."

Gibbs stepped up next to the Pastor and watched as Jeb stepped up next to him, followed by Ducky, Donovan, and Tony. Hunter stood and stared at Gibbs with a quizzical look on his face. Gibbs reached out a hand and Hunter hopped up the few stairs and took it.

"Where do I stand, Papa?" Hunter asked swaying a bit. Gibbs smiled down at the boy.

"You're the ring bearer?" Pastor Lutz asked Hunter, he looked up at the man and nodded with a grin. "You can stand with the best man then."

Hunter stepped up next to Jeb and leaned against his legs. The Pastor then turned to the rest of the wedding party as they stood waiting for instruction. Gibbs noticed the worried look on Kate's face and turned his gaze to follow hers. He couldn't help but smile as his eyes landed on Abby. She was decked out in a black sleeveless dress that ended just above the knee. Her lips were painted a dark purple and the black around her eyes was noticeable. Her dog collar settled nicely just above the neckline of her dress.

Gibbs knew what Kate was thinking. He couldn't help but smile. He would have to reassure Kate later that Abby would not be wearing that attire for the wedding itself. Kate's family had taken seats out in the sanctuary waiting for all this to begin. The Pastor went on to explain to the bridesmaids how they were to walk out and line up before the bride herself was escorted.

"Who is giving the bride away?" the Pastor asked once done explaining the proceedings to the bridesmaids.

"I am," Doug said stepping forward.

"Good. You will escort her down the aisle after the bridesmaids and flower girl are in place up here," Pastor Lutz continued. He then explained what would be done when they reached the alter, before instructing them to take up a position in the back for rehearsal.

They began the rehearsal then with Abby coming out first. Once she was half way to the alter Melanie started, followed by Megan and then Suzy. After Suzy was half way, Kate's niece Hayley froze and stared at the people. Kate walked up to her slowly.

"Hayley, honey, it's your turn," she whispered to the eight-year-old. The child looked up at her with wide eyes and shook her head.

"No," Hayley replied softly closing her eyes.

"Oh, Baby, it's ok, you can do it. Look, just go on up there and pretend to drop the flowers. Just like we talked about," Kate replied.

The rest of the party was watching from the front wondering what the snag was. Hunter sighed audibly in the pause, crossing his arms over his chest in boredom. Jeb nudged him and gave him a look. Hunter shrugged and shifted on his feet. Ducky was looking around the church patiently waiting for this all to be over, while Tony was smiling at one of Kate's cousins. Donovan was staring at Megan who was staring back at him. Gibbs was fidgeting with his suit wishing it was two days from now.

Grandpa was in the front row tapping his foot gently on the floor. He turned in the seat and looked back towards where Kate was squatting in front of Hayley. Turning back to the party at the front, he spoke catching them all off guard.

"We could take her out to Indian Hill if she doesn't want to do it," Grandpa said with a smile. Most of the people ignored him, but Hunter cocked his head to the side.

"What's Indian Hill?" he asked.

"Burial ground for Indians a long time ago. They used to wrap their dead in clothe and secure them in the trees. It's here in Syracuse."

"Really?" Hunter asked excitedly. Jeb nudged him again and the boy looked up with a confused look.

"Shh," Jeb said softly. Gibbs glanced down and smiled at the boy.

"This reminds me of a time when I was in London. I was attending the wedding of…" Ducky began.

"Not now, Ducky," Gibbs said, quickly squashing Ducky's story before it got rolling. Ducky nodded.

"Indeed, sorry, Jethro," he replied.

Finally Kate got Hayley to walk down the aisle and she hurried back to her spot next to her father. Once the eight-year-old was up next to Abby, Kate and Doug started down the aisle together. Grandpa had taken up more on Indian Hill and Kate cringed.

"Not now, Gramps," Megan said turning from her spot to glare at her grandfather. "We are in the middle of something."

"Right you are my fault," Grandpa replied holding his hands up in surrender. Kate breathed a sigh of relief. Hunter was growing quite bored at this point and plopped down on the stairs resting his chin in his hands, elbows propped on his knees. Gibbs reached his foot out and gently kicked the boy in the behind. Hunter turned and looked up at him with a glare, but Gibbs returned it and the boy quickly hopped to his feet again.

"Pay attention," Gibbs said and Hunter nodded, clearly disappointed he had to be here. Kate and Doug had reached the alter now and Gibbs couldn't stop the smile from crossing his face. The Pastor explained what would happen and then they ran through the ceremony as it would happen the next day. After they finished with the run through, the groomsmen escorted the bridesmaids to the back of the sanctuary. Hunter took Hayley's arm and started the processional, garnering awes from the audience.

Once they were done, Hunter bolted from the back and started to undo the tie around his neck. Kate thanked the Pastor and then the man ducked out leaving the family to mingle. They stayed in the church for a short time longer, before making it over to the hall that was to be used as the reception hall after the wedding. Kathy had arranged for a catered dinner for the night and they all sat down to a nice dinner.

Tony and Jeb came up to Gibbs as dinner was winding down and smiled. Kate's four brothers then joined them. Kate looked at them suspiciously as Gibbs turned to look at them, his arm still draped over Kate's shoulders.

"Yes?" Gibbs asked as the group stared at him. Donovan and McGee had joined them now and Gibbs was beginning to think they had planned something.

"You're coming out with us tonight, Dad," Jeb said with a smile. Gibbs looked at Kate and she nodded her approval. The group caught the meaning and they all broke into grins. Tony was about to open his mouth and say something when Gibbs flashed him a look that made him shut his mouth. No one said a word.

"Just don't make him late for tomorrow or you will all be dead," Kate said. Once the boys were gone Gibbs stood and shook his head.

"Do I really have to go?" he asked as Kate stood up next to him. She smiled and leaned into him, kissing him.

"Yes. I'll see you in the morning. Don't be late," Kate said.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Gibbs said with a smile before he leaned in and kissed her again. He groaned slightly when he pulled away. "You're still killing me, Kate."

"I know," she said with a smile. He walked away from her then and moved off to find the guys. Kate turned to find Megan and Abby standing behind her. She nodded that she would go with them and Abby started to bounce in place.

TBC…

AN: Not quite sure what to do for next chapter...maybe do a split...guys/girls night out? or skip to tomorrow morning...what do you guys think? let me know. all right hope you enjoyed! dark rolling sea.