Jitters

In a small hall on the edge of DC, around 50 people were all seated at two long tables that had a perfect view of the table up front, that had Kate, Gibbs, Abby, Ziva, Cynthia, Fornell, Tim and Tony all sitting across it.

Everyone was eating when Tony stood up with Tim and made his way down to the microphone.

"Ok, so hi everyone and welcome to farmer wants a wife." Tony grinned, everyone else deadpanning as he made the joke. "I kid, I kid." He stood back and murmured to Tim, "Geez, it's a hard crowd."

Tim just shook his head as he stood up to the microphone. "Sorry about him. So I'm Tim, this is Tony; we're two of the men standing up with Gibbs tomorrow. Uh, so Kate and Gibbs have asked everyone to be at the wedding by 9.30am for a 10.00 start. If you're going to be late, and it's ok if you are, there will be seats up the back. After the nuptials, the reception will be held in here and then we'll wish the happy couple luck!"

Everyone clapped and jeered excitedly. "Now, everyone enjoy their nights and we can't wait to see you all tomorrow!"

()()()()

Kate and Gibbs stood murmuring each other outside the front of the hall as McGee, Tony and Ziva locked up.

"Tomorrow is Pennsylvania. Good thing Dad needs a ride back." Gibbs said, holding both of Kate's hands in his. "Run the store for a few weeks. Annoy the hell outta Ed and Chuck. It'll be great."

"No work. No gun fights. No late nights." She replied.

Ziva came over and smiled. "Sorry to break this up, but Kate is coming with Abby and I." she looked over pointedly at the car Abby was sitting in with a huge grin on her face.

Gibbs gave a big grin. "That's fine. See you tomorrow." He walked off alone to his car, with him looking back to see Kate staring at him wistfully as she was dragged in the opposite direction.

Later on, Ziva, Abby and Cynthia all sat with Kate, who looked a little shell shocked as the night progressed.

"What's up?" Cynthia sipped some champagne.

"All of this… my life has led to this. Me getting married to my old boss. Who has had four marriages already... Three of which ended with divorce." She looked at her friends and saw the hole she was digging. "Ok, now things are getting a little real."

Abby knew this was going to happen. "Stop right there! I have something for you." She pulled out a projector and her laptop. "I knew your little meltdown would occur, but you were so good, I didn't know when you were going to crack! But, I came prepared." She set it up and clicked on a video. "I made this while Gibbs was out last week."

First was Tony, whose eyes and grin were as big as each other.

"Geez, of course I'm envious. Kate has the luxury of having someone who will be there whenever and wherever. She'll have someone to tell her deepest, darkest secrets and to smile with when the goings good. Please Kate. Don't freak. I'm going to be your annoying fourth brother from another mother." He smiled at the end again and covered the camera with his hand before saying "McGeek, get over here. Your turn."

The video then cut out and started again. McGee was now just getting comfortable, Abby mumbling something to him.

"Kate, Abby said you were going to meltdown. Please don't. Abby and Ziva and Cynthia have this extravagant plan if this doesn't help but I'm hoping that it does because we love you, no matter what. I know you have your family in Indiana, who can't make it, but… we're your family here and we love you for being that one person who worries about everything. But no matter whatever time it is right now… don't freak out."

It cut out again and the next picture caused Kate to gasp. It was her brothers Alexander, James and Lucas.

"Katie!" Lucas laughed at the camera. "My long lost big sister!"

"It's been a while, little sister." Alexander told her.

"We miss you a lot around here little one. But, as we hear, there is now a guy in your life now who we hope doesn't cause as much trouble as we did to you." James continued.

"Because we just want you to be happy." Lucas agreed.

"And if he screws up, we're coming to get you and hurt him." Alexander looked a little serious as he said that.

"So on the eve on your wedding, don't freak."

"Don't cry."

"Don't even try and pick that phone up to call Jethro."

"Have a good one Kate."

"We'll crack one open for you."

"But come visit."

"Because I know dad would be proud. I know mum is."

"Good luck!" They all said together before the camera cut out.

The projector got turned off and Abby saw it had done the job. She stopped freaking out. She was now crying instead.

"Those five have…" she was lost for words. "Thank you Abby. They're right. I worry for all the right reasons but I shouldn't be worried about tomorrow."

"They're just jitters. Everyone gets them at some stage about something important." Cynthia beamed.

"Now. Let's get back to this." Ziva rose her champagne glass high, everyone else in the room following suit. "To the best wedding ever tomorrow!"

"Cheers!" they all skulled their champagne and got ready for another round, Kate knowing tomorrow was going to be perfect.

Ok… well… review? Yell and scream at me there :D I promise I'll take it all!