"Gibbs has the best poker face I have ever seen. It's like trying to read a statue" Sloane said after having a sip of her beer. Grace, Vance and Tobias were all sitting around the dining table playing poker, Kate walked in handing another beer to Fornell as she came to stand behind Gibbs, hoping she could get a hint of what he had in his hand, but not luck.
"No, that's his natural state, aint that right Popeye" Grace added as she watched him closely. Gibbs looked at her with a grin, holding his cards close to his chest.
"He can't win five hands in a row" Vance said, eyeing the man at the head of the table "he's got to be bluffing"
"I'm not so sure. He had that same glint in his eye back when I married Diane and he had no longer had to pay alimony" Fornell added, this causing them all to laugh.
"I'm with Tobias on this one" Grace added.
"I'll call you Gibbs" Sloane finally said throwing her chips in the centre of the table. They all watched him eagerly, ready to see his cards. Kate leaned in and whispered in his ear.
"You win this one you can do whatever you want o me tonight" she heard Gibbs clear his throat as he grinned. He put down 4 kinds and the whole table erupted. Kate couldn't stop laughing as she kissed his cheek.
"And this is why I do not play poker with this man" she said. Gibbs' celebration was interrupted by his ringing cell. He had to leave the room to hear what the person on the other end of the line was saying.
Kate took over his seat and sipped on her own beer. She turned to watched Gibbs, wondering who was calling, since it was his and the teams weekend off.
"McGee, calm down" Gibbs yelled into his phone causing them all to stop and look at him. Kate started to feel uneasy. As Gibbs listened to what the younger man was saying he turned and looked at the people in his dining room.
"Be right there" he said closing his phone. He turned to his guests who were all now staring at him in total silence.
"Abby and Reeves were shot. Reeves didn't make it, Abby is in hospital" he told them. Kate got up straight away, her beer long forgotten.
"I'm coming with you" she said as she quickly made for the door and grabbed their jackets.
"I will meet you there" Vance said as he too got up from the table.
Kate had decided to share protection duty with McGee, to which Abby was thankful because McGee could not do her hair properly.
"It's really not that hard McGee. I mean now that you have a little girl you shoulder really start practicing" Kate said as she looked at her handy work while Abby checked it in the mirror McGee held in front of her.
"Wow Kate, they are perfect. Thanks" she beamed up at her friend. Kate leaned down and hugged her gently and kissed her cheek.
"You are very welcome. Now if you need me to do it again just call and I will be right over" Kate added. Abby nodded, making her pigtails swing. With another hug Kate left the two and headed out. When she was in the elevator her phone rang, she pulled it out of her pocket and smiled when she read the name on her screen.
"I just left and she is doing fine" she answered with a smile.
"Are Torres and Bishop there yet?" he asked.
"Not yet. McGee is still with her she isn't alone" she reassured him. When the doors opened she walked out and smiled when she saw Ellie and Torres standing there. They said a quick hello before continuing on.
"Question. Does Torres know his shirt is like two sizes too small, or is that on purpose?" she asked as she continued out of the building. She heard Gibbs laugh and it was the sweetest sound she had heard in days.
"You wouldn't be checking out my Agents now would you?" Kate stopped at her car and laughed.
"Well of course not. I was actually thinking perhaps you could start wearing shirts two sizes too small for you. You know show off that sexy body of yours" she grinned and heard him laugh even louder.
"Now we both know that you would just rip that shirt off me anyway" he finally said, causing her to grin even more.
"This is very true" she paused "It's nice to hear you laugh" she said softly.
"I will see you tonight" he finally said.
"See you tonight" she repeated before finally getting in her car and heading to work.
Kate pulled into the drive way and got out of her car. When she looked towards the house she saw Gibbs standing in the window looking out towards the street. She turned around to see what he was looking at but no one was there so she decided to go inside.
She walked into the lounge room and headed over to him.
"Hey, everything okay?" She asked softly. He turned to her and gave her a small smile before indicating to a note that was laid out on the coffee table. She stepped forward to and picked it up and started to read it.
"What is this?" she asked as she stopped and looked back up at Gibbs.
"Just, keep reading" he instructed. She took a seat and did as he said.
'I was afraid that if you asked me to stay, I might waiver because there's nothing I wouldn't do for you. When I think back on when things in my life got difficult you were always there to tell me that it would be okay. And it would be because you would make it okay.
But Gibbs, Reeves is gone and it's not something anyone can fix. Not even you.
I hope you know what you mean to me, Gibbs. Every moment, every lesson, every hug. I'm thankful for it all.
No matter what we faced over the years, there was only ever one thing I needed to hear from you.
Kate. What can I say? You are more than just my best friend, you are my sister. Everything that we have been through I have always been able to count on you no matter what. I love you and I will miss you so very much. Now all I ask of you is to just saw yes'
Kate looked up from the letter, tears in her eyes.
"What does she mean 'just say yes'?" Gibbs just shrugged and came to sit down next to her. She put the letter back on the table.
"So she is really gone? She talked about going to London last night but I didn't think she was actually going to go" she said softly. Gibbs reached his arm out and wrapped it around her shoulders. She let out a big sigh and rubbed his knee.
"I think I'm going to head up to bed. I'm exhausted" she said softly with a small smile. Gibbs just nodded and watched her head up stairs. He looked at the letter sitting on the table. He suddenly felt exhausted himself and decided to go up and join his girlfriend in bed.
Gibbs woke the next morning to an empty bed, which was different for him as he was normally the first one to get up. As he sat up he looked over at his set of draws. He got up, opened the top draw and dug around until he found the small wooden box. He stared at the engraved 'C' on the top of it. He knew he had wanted to do it for a while now, but just couldn't find the right time. Maybe it was the right time now.
Gibbs headed down the stairs and headed towards the kitchen where he saw her, standing at the bench in nothing but his t-shirt, her hair all messed up. He smiled as he walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her small body making her smile.
"Good morning" she said with a smile.
"Morning. You're up early" he stated as he placed a kiss to her neck, then her shoulder.
"Couldn't sleep anymore, so I thought I would make us some coffee. I was going to make breakfast, but I haven't done the shopping yet" she placed her hands on his arms, not noticing the box hidden in his hand.
"Why don't we go out? You and me" he suggested. She smiled and leaned back into him.
"I like that idea" she turned her head and kissed his neck.
"But first I want to ask you something" this caught her attention and she waited for him to continue, but when he didn't she stood up properly and turned to look at him.
"What is it Jethro?" he looked at her and for once he was speechless. He held out the box to her, watching him, she reached out and took the box from his hand.
"Jethro, did you make this?" she asked looking at the box. He nodded.
"Open it" she did as she was told and gasped.
"Marry me?" he finally found his voice, staring into her eyes. He saw them water as she nodded.
"Yes. Yes of course" she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He kiss her back, arms going around her and pulling her closer to him.
"Wait, is this what Abby was talking about?" she asked pulling back slightly to look at him. He grinned and nodded.
"Who do you think helped me with the ring?" she grinned and kissed him again.