Authors Note: Wow. Ok, so I totally suck! I abandoned this story for quite a few years. I have no excuses. I apologize. IF any of you out there in NCIS fanfiction-land are still interested in KIBBS, I hope you enjoy this.

Give me ideas on what you'd like to see, and I will do my best to accommodate you.

Reviews are love, leave some!

-Krystle

To say this was the longest week of her life would be an understatement. Her mom seemed to like Jethro; her father on the other hand, she could tell had his worries, but seemed to be coming around. It was on Christmas Eve when her father and Jethro seemed to have reached a common ground.

Looking out the kitchen window, her father and Gibbs looked to be in the middle of a discussion. She's not sure how long she had been watching them.

Lorraine walks up beside Kate at the sink and grins, "Katie, stop worrying."

Kate jumps. "I-I'm not worrying mom. What makes you think that?"

"Honey, you've been washing that coffee mug for fifteen minutes," her mom points out with a slight chuckle.

Looking down at the mug in her hand, Kate sighs. "Hmm," she moves to rinse it and place it in the drainer. "What on earth could they be taking about?"

Lorraine wraps an arm around Kate's shoulders, "You."

"Mom," she says, rolling her eyes slightly. "I'm asking a serious question.

"I gave a serious answer," her mother retorts. "Your Jethro is smiling and your father is starting to warm up to him. Trust me, I've been married to the man for forty years."

"I hope so," Kate says. "I'm crazy about Jet, mom. I would love if you guys loved him as much as I do."

The older woman smiles. "He's a wonderful man. I can see that he makes you happy, honey. Really, all I want is for you to be happy."

Kate nods, "he does make me happy, Ma. I can't see my life without him."

KIBBS

Gibbs walks over to where Kate's father is, knowing that he doesn't think too highly of Kate being with an older man. However, Kate is the best thing to happen to the ex-Marine in a long time, and he feels it's important for the elder of the family to understand.

John looks up from his yard work to see Gibbs approaching, and gives him a nod. "Jethro."

"Sir," he says, nodding back. "Need some help?"

"Grab the weed eater."

"Before we get to work, sir, I'd like to talk to you," Gibbs says, squaring his shoulders.

"About what?"

"My relationship with Kate," Gibbs answers. John becomes tense at his answer. "The last thing I want to do is cause tension between you and Katie. I just want you to know that she means the absolute world to me. I'd never hurt her."

John nods. "Yeah. You're right. I do have reservations about your relationship. You're closer to my age than Katie's. I'm worried that you're leading her on."

Gibbs raises his brow at the accusation. "No sir, I am not leading her on. Kate knows about my past. It's no secret that I've been married before; but I can assure you, the next time I'm married it's going to last. I'll make sure of it, and so will she."

"What about children? Surely you've got children, how would you feel if your daughter were to bring home a much older man?"

Jethro lowers his head slightly, clears his throat, "Well, my only daughter lost her life several years ago, along with her mother. But if she were to bring a man home who was older, but loved her more than life itself, I'd give her my blessing. Age doesn't define a relationship, sir, you should know better than anyone."

Hearing the loss of Gibbs daughter leaves an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach. "No parent should ever have to bury their child. I'm sorry."

"I don't wish the pain on anyone," Gibbs says, then looks back up at the man before him. "I love your daughter, sir. I'm planning a future with her. I'd like your blessing to do so."

John thinks for a moment. He knew this day would come, but he swears it was just yesterday when Kate was learning to ride a bike. Never did he expect this question from a man who had several years on his daughter. Thinking back over the last few days, he can't recall a time where Kate smiled as much.

He gives Jethro a smile and a nod, sticking his hand out to him. "You hurt her, and I'll know."

Jethro shakes the man's hand. "Not in my plans, sir."

KIBBS

Walking around the neighborhood where she grew up, and holding Jethro's hand makes Kate feel at ease. Sure the trip hadn't started out how she thought it would, but after the conversation Gibbs and her father had in the back yard, they seemed to be getting along better; and man, does she want to know what was said!

She squeezes his hand and looks over at him. "So, you and my dad seem to be getting along better."

"Yeah," he answers.

Kate rolls her eyes. How very Gibbs of him. "Well, what changed?"

He smiles. "I told him that I love you."

She stops walking and when he turns to her, she raises an eyebrow at him. "That's it? You told him that you love me and everything is fine by him now?"

"Yep."

"Jet, really?"

"We just laid everything out on the table, Katie. He asked how I would feel if my daughter brought him someone my age. Told him what I'd do. I told him how you've changed my life and I that I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

She slides her arms around his neck, and props up slightly on her tip-toes, meeting him for a sweet kiss. She rests her forehead on his and plays with the hair at the nape of his neck. "I love you, Jethro."

"I love you too," he says, wrapping his strong arms around her waist, holding her tight to him. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, Kate, but I'm so grateful you're mine."

"You were just yourself," she shrugs, kissing him once more. "Even if you were a bastard sometimes."

Gibbs bark's out a laugh, kissing her forehead. "Come on, let's get back to the house. We have one more night of your moms cooking, and then it's back to D.C."

"Don't remind me," she comments. "It's been nice not having to sneak around."

"We could always tell people."

"Really? You're okay with that?" Kate asks. "Won't I have to transfer?"

"Like hell. We'll just tell Tim and Tony that until we decide, our relationship stays within the team."

Kate nods. "Okay. If you're ready."

Gibbs puts his arm around her shoulders and she wraps her arm around his waist. "I love having you all to myself, Katie, but I also wan't to show you off to the world. Whatever happens next, we'll handle."