See Part 1 for Disclaimer
AN: Sorry it took so long, but I just finished my final exam and started a new job. But I can tell you the story is going to be finished. There are still some things coming. So stay tuned.
Thanks for all the guy leaving reviews. Those keep me working. So don't forget to leave one.
Summary: Time to meet Kate's family and the team is still eager to know about Kate's mysterious boy-friend.
Part 17
The next week nothing out of the ordinary happened. It was a quite week with only one quick case. Max and Kate did the research and writing. Both of them got along very well, most of their work-free time was spent talking about their pregnancies.
On the weekend Max and Tony found a house that they both liked and which was big enough to take Joshua in.
Tony was organizing their moving.
On Tuesday Kate got a call from her brother.
"Danny, nice to hear from you. I tried to call you for weeks, but you know work and private life."
"You and a private life? I don't believe that." Danny said.
"You are bad, Danny. Of course do I have a private life. I have a new boyfriend and this time it's going to last. We are both in love."
Danny was surprised. "My little sister is in love and you didn't tell me? I'm offended. You know what that means. You have to show him to us, soon."
"Actually I was trying to reach you because of that. How about a family meeting? He is eager to meet you." Kate lied, not wanting Gibbs to meet her family.
"That's good to know. You know if he hurts you, all your three brothers are going to hurt him. So how about Saturday? Enough time for me to prepare a gathering."
"Sure thing. So I'll see you Saturday around lunchtime. You know I love your homemade food. Say hello to Christine for me."
"Will do. See you Saturday, little one."
Now Kate didn't look happy.
"What happened? Bad news?" Max asked. Just at this moment the guys came back from a crime scene.
"I don't know. My family would like to meet my boyfriend. And I'm not sure how they will react about him."
"So they don't know him?"
"Nobody knows about us besides the two of us and his brother." Kate said.
""Why are you keeping him secret? Is he that ugly?" Gibbs asked grinning.
"No, he's not. Actually I think he is quite handsome. We just would like to keep our relationship private. We don't know how the people around us will react." Kate explained.
"Is he older?" Tony asked.
"Is he younger?" Gibbs asked.
"Is he married?" McGee asked.
"He's a bit older than me and he's not married. And I won't tell you more about him."
"But we sure want to meet him. We want to make sure he is good enough for you, Katie."
Kate shot him a look and swatted him on the back of his head. "Never ever call me Katie again, DiNozzo. And you will met him one day, but not know. First I need to present him to my family. Gibbs can I take Friday off?" Kate asked.
"Of course you can. Actually I was taking that day off myself." He said, knowing that Kate would ask him later that night.
So on Friday Kate and Gibbs went up to Baltimore, where Kate's brother Danny was living with his family. They arrived at noon. Gibbs got them checked in at a local hotel, not wanting to meet the family before he actually had to.
"Jethro, is it okay with you if I go see my brother? You know checking out the front for tomorrow?" Kate asked. Gibbs was okay with that. So she took his car and went to her brother's house. All three of her brother's and their families were already there.
"Hello Katie. I thought you were going to arrive tomorrow. How are you? And where is HE?"
"I've never been better and 'HE' is at the hotel we are staying at. He drove all the way from Washington DC and he needed some rest. You'll meet him tomorrow." Kate said while hugging her family.
"You know Katie that came kind of sudden. You never told us you were seeing someone. And actually I thought you were in love with your Boss. So what happened?" Jacky, her sister in law asked.
"We are going to tell you tomorrow. I just wanted to see you first. I missed you all."
"We missed you, too. But perhaps we'll have a wedding soon to celebrate." Danny said smiling.
"Oh no, you are not going to talk about this tomorrow. We are not going to marry anytime soon. So don't you even try it."
"You can't blame me. You are the youngest one of us. We just want you to be taken care of." Danny explained.
"I can take care of myself. I'm armed and so is he. So be careful about what you are going to say."
"You mean..."
"You don't need to be afraid of him. But remember what I told you. Now I'm going back. I'm kind of tired. See you tomorrow."
Kate went back to her lover.
"How did it go?" he asked when Kate was entering the room.
"Like I thought. Danny started to plan my wedding. I think he dropped the plan and is not to think about it anymore. I told him you are armed."
"Kate, you did what? I can't face them!"
"Sure you can. You are a Special Agent. You are supposed to be armed. It was just to stop Danny. Now let's go to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a very long day."
The next morning Gibbs and Kate went shopping. When facing her whole family Kate would be dressed nice. Gibbs found a dress that fitted her perfect.
Back at the hotel both of them got ready for the meeting. Gibbs was really nervous about this.
"Jethro, calm down. They are not going to hurt you; even if they are kind of freighting. Actually they are kind of nice, I hope. You know, I don't show them all of my boyfriends only the ones I'm very sure of. And I'm very sure about you. Better?"
"Not really. Every time I met one of my ex-wives families I was nervous. But I was never this nervous before. Never Kate. I just want this to be good."
"You don't need to worry. You are in a relationship with me and not with my family. So it doesn't matter what my family thinks about you. It won't change my feelings for you. I love you, Jethro. And now we need to hurry or lunch will get cold."
Ten minutes later Kate pulled up at Danny's house. The car hadn't really stopped when to front door was opened by Juliette, Kate's mother.
"Caitlin, let me take a look. You look really great. And I take this is your boyfriend, right?"
"Hello mother, you look great yourself. But let's go in so Jethro can meet the rest of the bunch."
Kate followed her mother, Gibbs in tow. Inside the house were more family members, ten at least. Present were Mark and his wife Anny, Jamie with his wife Claudia and his two children Tommy and Betty. Danny, his wife Christine and his two daughters Kelly and Becky were waiting in the living room together with Kate's father Marcus.
Kate introduced Jethro to everyone. Of course they were eager to know where they met and how long they've been a couple.
"How about we tell you while having lunch? I'm kind of hungry!" Kate's family went to the dinner hall while Kate and Gibbs stayed back.
"So what do you think? Is it as bad as you thought?" Kate asked.
"I don't know yet. But you really have a big family, you know?"
"And you haven't met all my aunts and uncles yet." Jethro looked nervous again. Kate kissed him to take his worry away when Kate's mother's voice shouted.
"Caitlin, are you coming, my dear?"
"Coming mother, just needed to discuss something." Kate said smiling and took Gibbs to the dinner hall.
"You know that came kind of sudden, Kate." Claudia said.
Kate and Claudia were close. She had told her everything about her feelings for her Boss.
"You know you told me you are in love with your Boss."
Gibbs was kind of shocked at least he looked so. "You are in love with your Boss? Kate, you never told me. And I thought you loved me, well I think I mistook your feelings for me." Gibbs said.
Kate smiled. "Okay guys, I think I didn't introduce Jethro formally. This is Leroy Jethro Gibbs, team-leader on NCIS. My team-leader to be correct."
Now Juliette was shocked. "You are having an affair with your boss? Kate, I thought we have raised you better than that. You know what happened the last time?"
"Mom, I don't have an affair with my Boss. We are having a relationship. We love each other; this is going to last forever."
"How can you be this sure, Caitlin?"
"I know him longer and better than you. I love him more than my life and I'm pregnant with his child." Kate was shocked about saying it this way.
"Kate, you are pregnant? That explains a lot."
Kate was about to start again, when she felt Gibbs hand over her own.
"Would you stop now, please? Excitement isn't good for Kate, you know. And I can assure you, this is going to last. I never felt this happy with someone else. Actually I'm thinking about marrying her."
"Jethro, you don't have to marry me. I love you even out of wedlock. I won't force you to do something you will regret later."
"Katie, we are speaking about our wedding. I won't regret anything related to you. It never felt this right before and you know I have some experience. But wait; there is one thing I already regret."
"And that would be?" Danny asked looking kind of angry.
"Not telling Kate earlier about my feelings. That's the only mistake I made. And even if it looks like we are together because of the baby, it's not the reason. We learned about the baby after we got together. And I'm really happy about that fact. I never thought this would happen to me. So believe me, Kate is very happy with me and I'm taking good care of her. I'm not going to hurt her. You all can stop worrying about her and just be happy for Kate."
Kate had never seen him this emotional. It sure was a fact she liked about him. Kate was thankful for Gibbs being here with her otherwise she didn't know how she would have reacted.
"We are happy, but it came rather surprising, you know. Normally Kate's relationships are very short living. We never have seen one of her boyfriends. So this has to be really serious. Caitlin we are happy that you found someone you truly love. Welcome to the family, Jethro." Marcus said. Finally all of them were really happy and the rest of the day was very nice.
On their way back Kate asked: "They are really nuts, aren't they?"
"There are sure some unique people that you have to get used too. But that explains a lot."
"Explains what, Jethro?" Kate asked suspicious.
"Why you get along so well with Tony. You have more than enough experience in dealing with annoying people. Compared to your family Tony is kind of harmless."
Kate laughed. "Yeah, it's easier to deal with Tony than to deal with my family."
"By the way, you haven't answered my question yet?" Gibbs said, facing Kate.
"What question?"
"Perhaps I have to correct myself. It wasn't really a question, just something I thought about."
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Jethro."
"I have done this quite a few times in my life but I never felt this nervous."
Gibbs had reached the hotel and stopped the car. He turned around.
"Well, not the perfect place for doing it, but I can't wait any longer. Kate, will you marry me?" He asked and looked her into the eyes.
Kate was stunned. "Jethro, you don't have to do that. I won't force you to do something you won't do normally."
"Kate, you didn't force me. I love you and I would really love to marry you. Like I told your family it never felt so right with my ex-wives. So, what do you say?"
"Yes Jethro, I will marry you."
"Then it's official. We are going to get married." They kissed and were very happy.
"I think it's time to tell the team. It's quite surprising they even stopped guessing." Kate said.
"Well, I think Jess was more than enough for them. They think Jess is my girlfriend."
"Now Jess is getting what she wished for, you. I think she is going to be really happy."
"Yes she will, but not as happy as me."
"I'm happy, too Jethro."
On Monday Gibbs and Kate were at the office first. Kate was doing paper work while Gibbs was drinking his coffee and watching Kate. She noticed and smiled.
"What are you doing, Jethro?" she asked.
"Just watching you and making some plans."
"Care to share them with me?"
"No, not now. You know they're private." Just in that moment Tony and Max entered the office.
"Did I hear that right? Gibbs is making private plans? What happened to our Boss?"
"Nothing happened to him, he just changed his priorities."
"Priorities? Got something else than work on instead of your boat?"
"Yes, I got something else but that's none of your business, DiNozzo. How was Friday? Any work?"
"No, quite day. We did some reports; they are on your desk. How was your day off? I take it you visit your girlfriend?" Tony asked Gibbs.
"Actually we saw her family." Gibbs explained.
"Her family? It's really serious? By the way, how's Jessica? I really would like to meet her."
"I think she is fine. Why do you ask, Tony?"
"Just curious about your girlfriend."
"But why do you ask about Jess?" Gibbs asked smiling.
"Tony, you can stop. Gibbs isn't gong to tell you about his girlfriend and you already know that Jessica is his sister-in-law." Max sighed.
"You can't blame me for trying, Max. How was your day off, Kate?"
"Great Tony. I got a chance to see most of my family and they welcomed my boyfriend rather well. By the way, do you have planes for Friday night?"
While talking Abby and McGee had entered the office.
"We are all free so far. Why do you ask?" Abby asked.
"How about dinner at my house? Time to meet my boyfriend, don't you think?"
"It sure is time, so it's Friday." Gibbs said.
"Can you ask Ducky if it's possible for him to join us?" Kate asked and went for her desk.
Friday night came rather quickly. Kate left him early to get everything ready. 1900 sharp the first guests were arriving. It was Tony and Max. It was the first time Tony was at Kate's home.
"Great house you have, Kate." He said looking at the large living area where the table was set.
"Thanks Tony. Max, can you give me a helping hand?" She asked and took Max with her into the kitchen.
"Max, please tell me I'm doing the right thing. I never was that nervous in my life before."
"Why are you worried Kate? You don't have to be afraid of Tony. He will behave."
"Thanks Max, since your are in his life he has changed for the better. He's not the pain-in-the-ass he used to be."
Max and Kate got the dinner ready. When the bell was announcing the next guests Tony went to open the door. It was Ducky, followed by Probie and Abby. Both of them were on an on-again part of their relationship.
Max and Kate emerged out of the kitchen.
"Hi guys." They greeted them.
"Why don't you take a seat?" Kate offered her guests to sit down. Then Tony noticed something.
"Kate, I think you made a mistake. There is one plate missing."
Just at this moment Kate heard a key opening the door. "I don't think so. Just one moment. I'll be back in a few." Kate said leaving for the entrance.
"Hi my dear. They are already here and very curious about you." Kate said after kissing him hello.
"I can imagine. Do you know that I'm really nervous?"
"I know I'm too. Are you ready?"
Kate went into the living room first. Gibbs stayed back.
"Attention please. I'm proud to present you my fiancé and the father of my baby. Mr. Leroy Jethro Gibbs." With these said Gibbs came up behind her and put his arms around her waist.
"Hey guys!" Gibbs said to his unbelieving friends. Abby jumped from her seat.
"I knew it, it was just that obvious."
"But for being sure about us being a couple you never said a word and I just know that it killed you not knowing about my girlfriend." Gibbs told Abby.
"Since when?" was all Tony could ask.
"Well, when we arrived in New York we were just co-workers. When we came back we where a couple. You remember our sightseeing tour? That night we spoke about our feelings for the first time. And well, we discovered that we both have been in love since Air Force One. We just never told each other." Kate answered Tony.
"But it wasn't a complete secret. I told my brother and his wife while Kate told her sister-in-law. We just kept it secret to the one we are in love with." Gibbs explained.
"I'm very happy for you Jethro. I knew from the beginning that the both of you had something special. Congratulation you both." Ducky said.
"Boss, did Kate just call you her fiancé?" McGee asked finally realizing everything that was said.
"Yes, that's right. I proposed to Kate while visiting her family. And this time there won't be an ex-wife number four. Its never felt this right. I think I have waited all my life to meet Kate. She's my soul-mate, she's making me complete." Gibbs explained holding Kate's hand.
"That's so cool. We are going to have two weddings and two NCIS-babies. We have lots of planning to do." Abby said excited.
"Abby, stop. We don't have even a date yet, just like Max and Tony. So you have enough time for your planning." Gibbs said.
"But Boss-Man, you don't know what a wedding needs!" Abby tried again.
"You tell me, Abbs? Do I need to remind you that I was already married three times? I know what a wedding needs. Don't worry, we will tell you on time. So now enjoy the dinner."
"But Boss, there are some things I would love to know?" Tony said while having dinner.
"Go ahead and ask, Tony."
"What about Rule 12? You told us 'don't get involved with team-mates'. You broke that one."
"DiNozzo, do you remember the first time I told you about Rule 12?" Gibbs asked. When Tony didn't answer Gibbs continued.
"The first time I told you about that was when Kate joined the team. And knowing your reputation and the way you were attraction beautiful women I had to think of something. So I made up Rule 12, hoping that you Tony were going to obey at least one of my orders. Well it seems like it worked. You stayed away from Kate. And since it was my Rule I can break it."
"There was never a Rule 12? If I had only known that earlier?" Tony said grinning at Kate.
"Don't even think about it, DiNozzo. You know I would have never started anything with you. You are like a brother to me so it would never have worked. Besides that, I'm way to smart for you." Kate grinned at him.
"Yeah, you are way to smart for me, lil' sis'."
"Any further questions?" Gibbs asked knowing that there was at least one more. McGee tried his luck.
"Well, there is a question the whole team is thinking about. Probably not the whole team anymore. I'm sure Kate already knows the answer. But the rest of us are still in the dark."
"Get to the point McGee." Kate told him.
"Who is the woman that sometimes shows up with you? You know red-hair, sports car? We all thought she is your girlfriend or something like that, but now you have Kate. So who is she?"
"That would be Jessica Gibbs. My brother Charlie's wife. So are you guys satisfied?"
Well actually only McGee hadn't known this fact and was very relieved to know that. He was afraid Kate would get hurt.
Dinner was great after the team had come to terms with the news. Actually they were all quite happy for Gibbs and Kate. Kate was good for him. His friends hadn't seen him that happy in a very long time.
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