Chapter 2

The following morning, Kate and Tony, walked to their desks with coffees in hand. Kate walked over to Tim and handed him a cup of coffee. Tim thanked her and Kate just smiled. Kate is feeling much better now. The past six months have been stressful for her and after talking to the Director last night, she felt that the world has just been lifted off her shoulders. She will definitely miss her friends at NCIS but she couldn't go on working unhappy. She looked over to her left and noticed that Gibbs has been watching her, intently. She went back to whatever it was she was doing and smiled as she thought about her soon to be new life in Naples, Italy.

Gibbs watched his three agents work quietly on their reports. The quietness seemed eerie and uncomfortable. Since last night, after the scene he made in the bull pen, he had a feeling in his gut that he couldn't quite shake. He thought about going to Kate's apartment and apologizing to her but his ego got the better of him. He noticed how quiet both Tony and Kate got when they came in this morning, when they saw him. He heard them laughing coming out of the elevator before they spotted him at his desk. It's all his fault and he needs to find a way to fix it before he breaks up the team. He needs to make things right with Kate before the last thread of hope is gone. Gibbs got up and was about to call Kate to talk to her when he heard his name called.

"Agent Gibbs, may I speak to you?"

"Can this wait, Director Sheppard?"

"No, I need to talk to you now!"

He saw Jenny's eyes move to Kate and Kate gave her a faint smile. Something is definitely going on, he said to himself.

"Close the door Jethro."

"What is this about, Jen?"

"I'm transferring Agent Todd to our NCIS office in Naples, Italy."

"What? You can't do that! You have to talk to me first."

"Contrary to what you believe Agent Gibbs, but I can transfer any agent here without your permission. Your behavior towards her this past six months has been detrimental to the team especially Agent Todd. She's a great agent Gibbs and what you did to her, no agent should go through."

"Stay out of this Jen. She's not leaving and that's final."

"She's leaving next week. Papers for transfer are signed and they are waiting for her in Naples. I'm sorry Gibbs, I really am but to lose Kate as an NCIS agent was too much a risk so I just granted her request for transfer. I will have an agent to replace her before she leaves."

"You had no right, Jen." Gibbs walked out slamming the door.

Everyone in the bull pen heard the door slam and looked up to see a very angry Gibbs, whose eyes were fixed on one person, Kate Todd.

"I need to talk to you Agent Todd."

Kate got up from her seat and followed Gibbs without saying a word.

They walked inside the elevator, Gibbs' usual conference room. As soon as the door closed, Gibbs hit the emergency button and just stared at her.

"Look Gibbs, you wanted to talk, so talk. If not, I need to get back to my desk and work."

"How could you?"

"How could I what Gibbs? What did you expect me to do? You expected that I'd stick around and put up with your crap?"

"Why didn't you talk to me first?"

"Talk to you? That's really funny Gibbs. You only want to talk when it's convenient for you."

"You're not leaving."

"I don't think you have much say to that, Agent Gibbs. I'm leaving next week whether you like it or not. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my desk."

When the door opened, Kate started to walk only to be pulled back.

"We are not done talking Kate!" Gibbs shouted and caused for the two agents and the Director to look.

"You're hurting me Gibbs. Let me go, now!"

"No!" Gibbs said.

Both Tony and Tim got up from their chairs and ran to Kate and Gibbs.

"Boss, you are hurting her, just let her go."

"Tony this is none of your business. Leave us alone before I hurt you."

"I don't care what you do to me but I'm protecting my partner here."

"Jethro, I'm warning you, let Agent Kate Todd go or I'm suspending you."

Gibbs finally let her go and left.

"You all right Kate?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks again Director."

Jenny nodded and went back to her office.

"Tony, Tim, could you get Ducky and then meet me at the lab. I need to talk to you guys."

Kate couldn't believe how fast the news or gossip travelled around NCIS building. She found Abby waiting for her with her arms open.

"Oh my God Kate, are you okay? Let me see your arm."

"I'm okay Abby."

"Kate, Gibbs is a former marine and he's a strong, so I'm sure he grabbed you pretty hard. What the hell happened Kate? What is going on with Gibbs, I have never seen him like this?"

"Let's wait for Tony, Tim and Duck. Oh, here they are."

"Well, I'm sure you guys are all wondering why Gibbs is so mad. I'm leaving. I'm transferring to Naples, Italy."

"No, Kate please don't leave." Abby hugged her and started crying.

"I feel bad that it has come to this but I'm sure you all have seen what my relationship with Gibbs have been deduced to the last six months. What happened with me and Gibbs is personal and should have not been brought to work but it did. And it has affected the team. I love all of you, guys and it was very hard for me to come to this decision."

"Kate, why all the way in Italy? You could have chosen a place closer." Tony said.

"I'm sure you don't know Tony, but I do speak Italian fluently. I'm ΒΌ Italian and my grandparents spoke the language to me when I was growing up. I also speak fluent Serbian. My mother is Serbian."

"Oh my God, and you never told me Kate?"

"I was going to, sooner or later."

"Caitlin, how did Jethro take the news?"

"Is this any indication?" Kate asked showing him the bruise on her arm.

"Oh my God, Caitlin, what did he do to you? Caitlin, you know that he's not a violent man, right?"

"I know, Ducky. But I wish he could just admit his fault and not act like a bastard all the time. He's your friend, Ducky. He will need you. Please, please take care of Gibbs."

"Is there no changing your mind, Caitlin?

"I'm afraid not, Ducky. My decision is final."

"Kate, when do you leave? McGee asked."

"I leave next week. The Director said that she's brining in my temporary replacement this week."

"Are you staying there for good, Kate?"

"I'm not sure Abs. I'm committed for a year there and after that, it's up to me if I want to stay or move somewhere else."

"You'll write and call, right Katie."

"I will, I promise to call and write you guys. I'll even visit and vise versa."

"Oh, I'll definitely visit you there Kate. My grannies still lives there."

"Well, we better get back to work."

Tony, Tim and Ducky left Abby and Kate to talk some more.

"Kate, would you mind if we threw you a going away party?"

"I'd love that Abs."

"I'll miss you so much Kate."

"I'll miss you too Abs. Don't be too hard on Gibbs, all right. I don't think he can handle you getting mad at him. I know that deep down inside, he's a really good man."

"You must be in love with him, Kate because despite what he's done to you, you're still defending him."

"And now you know why I have to leave and be far away from him before it destroys us both. I need to save myself. I will come back, Abs I promise you that."