Chapter 3

The week went by fast. Kate and Gibbs did not say another word to each other regarding her transfer or anything personal. Kate was busy training her replacement and fortunately for her, she was a fast learner. Since Kate is organized, the cases were all filed alphabetically. She had also transferred pertinent information from her PDA to the newbie's PDA. Today is her last day and Kate has cleaned up her desk. All the pictures that used to hang in her cube are now in boxes. She has shipped all her stuff to Italy over a week ago and they are waiting for her at the NCIS office in Naples. She had a chance to speak to the Director and the team leader of NCIS in Naples and they sounded pleasant. She just finished her exit interview with Jenny and is now waiting for her team to finish up work. They are taking her out tonight to a bar and giving her a farewell party. She caught Gibbs twice today staring at her. He looked sad and even more distant than before. She knows he won't be there at her going away party and she wished that they could at least talk or be civil with each other before she leaves but maybe, it's better to leave this way. As she looked around the bullpen, memories of the past three years played in her mind. Tony, her partner, is like a brother to her, often annoying, playful but very protective of her. She's going to miss his jokes and his boyish good looks. Incessant tales of his dating life and his love for women, she will surely miss those times. Tony is truly unique and she would not have him any other way. There's Tim, the naïve and so full of information, he has grown so much since becoming a field agent. She loves how his respect for women never changed and although, she and Tony put him through hell because he was a probie, he took it all in stride. She admired the amount of knowledge he had stored in his brain. She will miss him, he was like her little brother. And there's Abby, the Goth Forensic Scientist. From the moment she joined NCIS, she got along with her. She was different and funny and full of life. Her tattooed and Goth appearance hide the soft, feminine and child-like Abby. One thing she loved about Abby is that no matter how hard the day is going, Abby always manages to lift her spirits up. She was her constant cheerleader. And then there's Ducky, who is like a father to her. Ducky had so much wisdom and is the voice of reason. He has always treated her with high respect and always knew how to comfort her. Lastly, there's Gibbs, her boss, her mentor, and the man she's in love with. When she first met him on Air Force One, she wanted to strangle the man and put him in a body bag. He was and still is, unbearable at times but he had principles she truly admires. She has learned so much from him and she has grown so much as a person as well as an agent. Her only mistake was falling in love with him but she can't regret that night they shared.

She was interrupted from her reverie when she heard Abby call her name.

"Come on Kate, let's go and let's get blasted. It's your last night here in DC before you leave us."

"Abs, remember what I told you, I'm just going on extended vacation."

"I know Kate. But it still doesn't change the fact that you are leaving."

"No, it doesn't, Abs. Come on, let's go and party."

When they got to the bar, Kate was surprised to see so many of her friends from the Secret Service were there. She also saw some FBI agents that they have worked with in the past including Fornell and other agents and employees in the NCIS building. When they saw her walk in, they all put their glasses and bottles in the air and made a toast to her. She laughed and smiled as each one said something either nice or embarrassing or touching about her.

Outside the bar, Gibbs watched from his car. He saw how happy Kate looked with the people who care about her. He wanted to go in but changed his mind because he felt that his presence would just ruin it. For the first time since Tony started working for him, he envied him. He envied how Tony could make Kate smile. He, on the other hand, only makes her mad or cry. He envied how Tony could put his arm around her and she feels comfortable. He makes her want to run away from him. He would love more than anything to be Tony right now.

Since it was a weeknight, one by one they all said their goodbye to Kate and told her to keep in touch. She thanked each one of them fro coming. Gibbs continued to watch the scene until there's just the NCIS team left in the bar. From where he was sitting, he could see each of them give her something.

"Caitlin, you know you are like a daughter that I never had. From the moment we met, I felt I had to take care of you. I hope you like my gift."

Kate got up from her seat and gave Ducky a hug. She opened the gift bag and found an expensive silk scarf.

"Oh Ducky, thank you so much. This is beautiful."

"A beautiful scarf for a beautiful lady. You're quite welcome Caitlin."

"Kate, you're my Super Hero, you know that right? You're Cat Woman, Wonder Woman and Princess Amidala. You're Cat Woman because, you're feisty. You're Wonder Woman because you're strong, smart and you took a bullet for him. And you're Princess Amidala because you are breathtakingly beautiful and you don't even know it. I bought you a watch, I have the time programmed to Italy and here in DC. That way, you will never have to wonder what time it is here."

"Oh Tim, you are so sweet. And I promise to always live up to being your Super Hero. Thank you for this. I needed a new watch too." Kate laughed.

"My turn Probie. Kate, what can I say that have not been said tonight? While Probie said you're his Super Hero, I say you're My Perfect Partner. You have put up with me like no other partner ever had before. You have saved my ass from the boss man so many times. You listened to my jokes and my stories every single day. I will never forget what you did for me, when we were in quarantine because of the plague and you stayed with me knowing that you could get infected and die because you didn't want me to be alone. You stayed with me because it's what partners do, you said. I hope you know how deeply I care about you and I would put my life on the line for you any day, Kate. I got you Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses because I know you love sunglasses. I had them personalized too."

"Tony, thank you and as much as I hate you being so nosy, I am thankful that you are sometimes. Always remember this Tony, whatever happens, you will always be my partner."

"It's my turn now and I have to say this before the bar closes on us. Kate, you're the sister I have always wanted. You're fun, adventurous and you accept me for who I am. You never judged me on my Goth look and you're always so honest with me. I am going to miss our girl talk. I'm going to miss you massages at work. And most of all, I'm going to miss your friendship. Please keep your promise and come back to us. I got you a black rosary, made in ceramic. I asked the priest to bless it because I know how important your beliefs are to you. I hope you'll keep this in your purse at all times, to keep you safe. I also made this collage of the whole team. You better put this in your cube, Kate. I don't want you to ever forget us."

"Abby, I will never for you guys. How could I when you are my family here in DC? I will come back to all of you when the time is right. I love all of you and I want you guys to do your job as you have always done. I don't want you guys to be sad. Please be happy for me. Last but not least, please take care of Gibbs. Thank you for all your gifts and for this party. I really, really appreciate it. I will keep in touch and this is not a goodbye."

They hugged one last time before leaving the bar. Kate looked outside and thought she saw Gibbs' car. But it could be the alcohol and she's just imagining that he's outside watching them, watching her. Even on her last day, he couldn't even put his pride aside and say goodbye. It showed how little importance she is in his life. It's time to look forward to a new beginning.