A/N: Here's the next part. Thank you to everyone who reviewed the first chapter, I really didn't think people would like this as much as you all obviously have. No more songs in this part though there will be in subsequent chapters. Enjoy.
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Kate waited a few minutes before excusing herself from the table, hoping that it wouldn't be too obvious to the others that she was following Gibbs backstage. Ducking quickly into the bathroom to check her make-up and pull on her backstage pass, she felt the last vestiges of nervousness drop away. This is going to be fun.
The backstage area was little more than a hallway and single room hidden by a curtain and guarded by a huge bouncer. Echoing Gibbs' movements of just minutes previous, she pushed her way past two very drunk men who were attempting to entice her to join them at the bar. She sidestepped them smoothly and as she moved determinedly towards the large man at the back curtain they chose not follow. Lifting her pass slightly from where it hung around her neck she flashed him a smile and was allowed into the hall.
She had hoped that the music from the club floor would mask the sounds of her heels on the tile floor, but despite only the thin piece of fabric separating the two sections, the walls seemed to insulate somewhat and she knew that he would hear her coming. As she reached the door to the prep room she took one last deep breath before composing her features and opening the door.
The room was nothing impressive. Plain tan walls were sparsely decorated with music posters and old record sleeves. Two battered couches sat against opposite walls and a large circular table, covered in soda cans and snack wrappers, took up a large portion of the center of the room. It was behind the table that Gibbs now stood, his welcoming smile turned to confusion as he realized just who was coming in. Kate was willing to wager that he'd been sitting bored just seconds before.
As always happened when Kate entered any room, Gibbs' heart rate increased just a little. Well aware that his confusion was evident on his face and more than a little annoyed that she seemed to be enjoying the fact, he took a moment to compose his features and only then noticed the tag that hung just below her sternum. The pieces of the evening quickly fell into place as he realized that if the Director could get him involved then likely he could get anyone involved. Trying his best to ignore what her presence did to his heart rate and internal temperature, he asked for confirmation of what he already suspected.
"You're singing?" He silently thanked the powers that be that his voice remained calm and at its usual timbre.
"Yeah."
"The Director ask or order?" As Gibbs sank more into their natural banter and felt her do the same, he relaxed significantly. A normal conversation. We do this all the time at work. He kept telling himself that this was no different, that they were just waiting for the rest of the band.
Despite the unusual circumstances Kate also found it easy to fall comfortably into their regular style of conversation. She gave him a quick smile as she moved around the table to grab a bottle of water. "He asked, but there was a definite potential for an order implied. I didn't really mind the idea though; it's kinda fun to get out there. You looked like you were enjoying it."
The grin that had been so noticeable earlier in the evening returned. "I just love playing. I couldn't care less whether it was in a garage or in front of a thousand people, I just love doing it." Kate's heart skipped a beat at the passionate tone of his voice. He chuckled lightly at his own comment and looked slightly embarrassed as he spoke again. "It is a hell of an adrenaline rush though, getting in front of all those people."
Kate gave a short burst of laughter. His embarrassed posture reminded her of his discomfort earlier in the evening and she decided to have some fun with him. After all it's not everyday I get to give him a hard time. "Well the audience certainly loved you guys. I thought those women afterward were going to faint when they finally came and talked to you." He blushed beautifully at her ribbing and Kate took a moment to record the image of a red-faced Gibbs in her mind. It gave her something to think about though. After all this time of watching him be cocky, confident and irreverent she was finally getting to see the real Gibbs, a man who valued his privacy above all else and who for some reason could not see just how desirable he was to the opposite sex.
She decided to have one last bit of fun with him before letting it slide. Taking a small, but noticeable step toward the door, she spoke questioningly. "I wonder how they would feel about getting your phone number." She pulled out her phone as she spoke, despite the fact that she had long ago committed his number to memory.
His face paled slightly as he tried to work out whether she was serious or not. He didn't think that she would ever be so mean; they were friends after all despite their working relationship and his desire for more. It also hurt him slightly that she didn't seem to dislike the idea of seeing him with someone else when it killed him to even think of her with another man. He put on his best boss glare as she took another step toward the door. "You wouldn't."
She stopped her motion to turn and raise an eyebrow at him. "Oh? Wouldn't I?" Gibbs took the opportunity to step clear of the table. He was still a few feet behind her if she tried to make a break for it, but at least now he might be able to get between her and the exit if it turned out that she really was that evil. He took another short step, closing the distance even more.
"You wouldn't dare." His voice was almost a growl, and something deep inside Kate responded to the primal tone. She did her best to keep the appearance of calm. Flashing him a flirtatious smile, she spoke.
"Watch me." She considered making a break for the door but knew that her heels versus his Chuck Taylor's would never work in her favor. Dodging away instead she put the table between them, but he seemed unwilling to just let her attempt slide and began stalking around the large furniture piece. She laughed lightly at the now mischievous glint in his eye. She tried to take a few steps in the other direction only to fall into his trap as he quickly reversed direction and caught her in strong arms.
Kate made a few half-hearted escape attempts, before giving up. It was only when she stopped her struggling that they both realized the position they were in – her chest almost flush against his as his hands held her hips steadily in place. Her cell had ended up on the table during the ruckus and her now free hands unconsciously stroked lightly over his upper arms. This was not something she had a problem with, having imagined on more than one occasion what it would feel like to be held by him. She looked up at him.
Gibbs' breath caught as her darkened gaze fixed with his. He had never imagined that this beautiful woman would ever look at him like that. He tightened his hold on her waist, wanting to make sure he wasn't misreading anything before this went any further. His unasked question was answered as she moved one of her hands up to rest firmly at the back of his neck.
"Kate…" Her name was a mere whisper as he lowered his head.
He swore vehemently as loud shouts and footfalls echoed down the hall and the pair moved reluctantly apart just as the door swung open. Gibbs composed himself quickly and turned to introduce Kate to the rest of the band. The five other ex-Marines greeted her warmly and Mike, the lead vocalist, took her quickly through the evening's plan.
"We've interspersed your three songs throughout the set. You'll be starting and ending it, plus a song in the middle. The rest of the time it's all kind of up to you. You can hang with us on stage for our numbers or chill back here. If you want to join in on any of the other songs, feel free, we won't mind." He raised an eyebrow at her as though inquiring as to whether she had any problem with the way he'd planned things. She answered with an equally silent smile and he spoke again. "Alright, than let's go, crowd's getting restless with the pop crap that DJ is playing." He gestured for Kate to lead the way out, which she did reluctantly, having hoped to be able to speak with Gibbs about what had almost happened. When they reached the backstage stairs she stopped and let the rest of the band pass her. As they settled themselves at their instruments, she felt a light hand on her back. Turning, she smiled up at Gibbs.
He spoke low and quick, seemingly more than a little aware of the glare that Mike was giving him from the stage. "Kate, about…I mean I…" He paused for a moment and than continued more composedly, "Can we talk after this?" She nodded, glad that he too knew that a serious conversation was in order. "Meet me backstage after the set?" Again she nodded and he gave her a small grin before moving up the stairs and settling himself behind the drums.
She took a few seconds to compose herself while Mike explained to the crowd that they had a guest. Early in the day she couldn't wait to see Tony and Abby's faces after she performed; now all she wanted was for the set to be over so she and Gibbs could have their talk.
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A/N: I'm in the process of writing chapter 3. It will be another song chapter as the band performs again. I anticipate that this story will have a total of 4 chapters though that may change as I decide just how far I want to take the story. I'll post when I can. Reviews help me post faster since I get extremely guilty if I think I'm making people wait, so let me know what you think.
