At NCIS Headquarters

Gibbs was sat at his desk, the rest of the team were with Abby and Ducky in the lab playing Secret Santa. Gibbs didn't see the point in putting names in a hat and buying the chosen person a present. You can always tell who bought you the gift anyway!!

He heard the 'ding' of the elevator and then the voices of his agents. "I'm serious McGee if you've chosen me, you'd better make it a good present!!"

"I'm not saying if I got you or not Tony!!" McGee replied, he wasn't a very good liar.

"I know you've picked my name because you had that look on your face!"

"What look?" he asked.

"The one that says: Great I've got DiNozzo!!" Ziva replied.

They all wondered back to their respective desks. Ziva and Paula were chatting about their Christmas plans. McGee was amending his report. Tony was checking his e-mails and Kate was sat quietly at her desk writing a list. Gibbs watched her and was just bout to say something when Abby bounded into the bullpen. "Gibbs you've got to take the last name!" she exclaimed.

Gibbs looked at her, "I told you Abby. I am not playing Secret Santa. This year or any year!!"

"But Gibbs!!" Abby whined.

"No, Abby."

"But Gibbs, if you don't…somebody's not going to get a present this Christmas!"

"Tough!" he said as he stood up.

"Oh, so it's not just me you're being a bastard to then!!" Kate remarked sarcastically.

Gibbs stood next to her desk and stared at her, she stared back not breaking the contact.

"I'm always a bastard to everyone!!"

"Not always to everyone!" he knew what she meant by that.

The bullpen was quiet as they watched Kate and Gibbs.

"Please Gibbs?" Abby smiled sweetly at him, holding the hat in front of him.

He looked at Abby, then Kate and then the hat. He sighed "Fine!!" He reached into the hat and pulled out the piece of paper.

"Open it!" Abby said to him. He did so and read the name, bloody typical, 'Caitlin'. "Now you have to buy that person a gift that's no cheaper than $5 and can be as pricy as you like."

"In need coffee!" he said as he left the bullpen.

Before…in the lab

Abby was sat at her computer scribbling out a list of names. "There that's everyone." she said as she put her pen down. She picked up the paper and tore it up into 8 pieces. Once she tore it up, she folded the pieces and put them in a hat and shook the hat to jumble up the names.

"Ok! Is everybody ready?" she asked.

"Yep" "Yea" "Sure" were the replies.

"Ok we'll go alphabetically by first names. So 'A' that's me." She put her hand into the hat and pulled out a piece of paper and read the name 'McGee'. "Tony you're next." he reached in and took out a piece of paper read the name of his chosen victim 'Ziva' he smiled wickedly.

"Ok, next is 'B' but we don't have any 'B's' so…"

'If Gibbs were here he could have 'B' for bastard.' Kate thought.

"…'C' is next. Caitlin."

Kate reached into the hat and pulled out a piece of paper. She read the name 'Leroy'. 'Just my luck!!'

Next was Ducky, he pulled out the paper read the name 'Caitlin'. He smiled to himself.

They proceeded until there was only one name left. "Hmm" Abby mused. 'We're gonna have to ask Gibbs' she said to herself. "Ok that's everyone! Go and buy your Secret presents."

They all left the lab, chatting amongst themselves. Caitlin was rather quiet and Ducky had picked up on this. She hadn't said a word most of the morning. He was just about to ask her what was wrong when Abby tugged his arm and asked him if she could have a word with him.

"What is it Abigail?" he asked.

"Did you pick out Caitlin's name?"

"Now Abby you know the rules of Secret Santa."

"I know, I know but did you get Kate's name?" she asked again.

"Why?"

"Because I know that Kate got Gibbs and Gibbs is the only one who needs to pick a name." she said quickly.

"I thought Jethro said he didn't want to do Secret Santa?"

"He did but I need him to get Kate's name!" she explained further.

"What for?"

"Ducky? Do I need to say it? You've seen how Gibbs and Kate are always dancing around each other."

"And your plan is to get them together.?" he questioned.

"Well, yes and no." Ducky raised an eyebrow at her, "I want them to get together and be happy but I don't want to force them to be. Y'know?"

"I thought Caitlin was already in a relationship?"

"She is and don't get me wrng but the guy isn't-"

"Jethro?"

"Yea. Please help me?" she begged.

"Usually I'm against this sort of thing…"

Abby looked at the ground, "I understand."

"…But, since I have no choice but to change the name of who's gift I'll be buying this Christmas, because it is no longer a secret, I'll help."

She practically dived at him, embracing him into a hug, "Thank you, thank you, thank you Ducky." she said excitedly.

Ducky put the piece of paper with Caitlin's name on it back into the hat and took out the other.

"Who'd you get?" Abby asked.

"That is a secret." he said as he left. He looked at the paper 'Anthony'….

Back to the present time

They had been in the office all morning finishing paperwork. Gibbs looked at the clock and sighed. He hated being stuck in the office without working a case. He turned his attention towards Kate. She looked unhappy and he knew it was because of him. Because he wouldn't let her take a few days off to move in with her boyfriend before Christmas. He hated upsetting her and he hated himself for it. He was jealous and he had no right to be. She wasn't his…and that's what hurts him the most. He longed for her to be his. To go to sleep with her at night, to have her snuggling up to him. To wake up with her and have breakfast in bed. He cant have it and that's why he's jealous because somebody else can.

"What are you staring at?" Kate's voice broke him from his thoughts.

"What?"

"I said 'What are you staring at?'" she repeated her question.

"I wasn't staring…I was thinking. Not that that's any of your business."

"Are you always such a bastard at Christmas? Or do you just hate me?" she berated before getting up and rushing off towards the ladies.

"What was that about?" DiNozzo asked.

Gibbs shook his head, "I dunno." but he did know.

A few minutes went by and Kate still hadn't come out of the bathroom.

"Do you think she's alright?" Paula asked.

"Maybe we should check on her?" Ziva asked. They were worried about their friend.

They were both about to get up when Gibbs stopped them. "Abby's on her way up to see her."

Everyone looked at one another. 'Who told Abby?' they all wondered.

Just then, Abby rushed out of the lift and went to the bathroom. If anyone could help Kate it would be her. That's why Gibbs e-mailed her. He was obviously worried about her and knew that Abby was the only person, besides Ducky, that she would confide in. And since she was in the ladies room, Ducky want the right person to ask.