A/N: WOOHOO! Chapter 7 complete. 2 chapters left me thinks. Will (hopefully) be completed this year LOL!

Disclaimer: Not mine (sob)

Chapter 7 - Explanations

Kate reached the Navy Yard before Gibbs, he had to take a detour to work. He had to drive from Kate's apartment, which was at the other side of town, to his house to get changed then to NCIS. She waited by her car in the NCIS garage knowing he wouldn't take long to get home and changed. She waited for 20 minutes for him. He parked his car next t hers, she watched him grabbing his gear from the backseat of the car. He slung the bag over his shoulder and made his way to her car. Kate took note of what he was wearing, a black suit with a red collared t-shirt. To her he always looked smart…and sexy. She loved him in his suits and t-shirts, especially the black suit and red shirt it complimented him so well. Not that he didn't suit other colours because he did.

"What're thinking about?" he asked her, she had a dreamy look on her face.

"Nuthin'." she smirked. They walked side-by-side to the elevator. Gibbs waited for the doors to close, he flipped the emergency switch and instantly dropped his bag to the floor. Caitlin looked at Gibbs, he had a look in his eyes, lust. He towards her and she took a step back, before she knew it her back was against the metallic wall. He crushed his lips against hers and pinned her to the wall, loving every single minute of her pressed between him and the wall. They relished each others touch as it might be the only time they had together today, that is until they got home. They regained their breaths and re-arranged their clothes, Gibbs picked up his bag and flipped the switch when they we ready.

"We'll tell them together, ok?"

"Yeah, we'll tell Abby and Ducky first, then the others."

"Agreed."

The elevator 'dinged' and they got out on the 3rd floor. McGee, Ziva and Paula were already there, sat working at their desks.

"Good morning, Kate, Gibbs." Ziva greeted them, she saw the cut on Caitlin's lip. "What happened?" she looked between the two.

"What's wrong?" Paula rushed over, McGee got up and followed.

"This," Ziva pointed to Kate's cut lip, "This is what is wrong."

"Oh my God!" Paula exclaimed.

"What happened?" McGee asked.

"We'll tell you later, right now get back to work. Where's DiNozzo?" he walked in right on cue.

"Goooooooood morning' people. And how are we this fine morning? Whoa, what happened to you Kate? Did you get into a chick fight?" he said as he took of his sunglasses.

Gibbs rolled his eyes, "DiNozzo, ass. Down. Now."

"Yes boss." he pushed through the little crowd and sat behind his desk. He switched his computer on and it whirred to life. Everybody sat back down at their desks keeping a close eye on Kate. Something was different. But what?

The morning soon came and went, with a few questioning looks and worried glances. Gibbs had decided that they would tell Ducky and Abby over lunch. The pair arrived in the bullpen with one plaguing question on their minds 'What was going on?'.

"Good afternoon," Ducky greeted them.

"Hey Duck." he greeted his friend, "You ready Kate?" He looked towards Caitlin's desk, she was looking at something on her computer screen and seemed to be off in a world of her own. "Kate?" he said again. She almost jumped out of her skin.

"What?"

"You ready to go?"

"Yeah I'm ready."

Ducky caught sight of Kate's lip, "Good lord, Caitlin. What happened?" he said rushing over to assess the injury.

"Long story. I'll-We'll explain over lunch." she looked at Gibbs then back to Ducky. Abby pushed passed Ducky to get to Kate.

"Oh my God, Kate. Who did this? I'll make 'em pay? I can kill them and not leave any evidence behind…I am that good, you know?" she rambled on.

"Abs, I'm ok. Like I said we'll explain over lunch." she reassured her friend.

"Okay." she eyed Kate and Gibbs suspiciously, something was going on.

They reached the small restaurant in a matter of minutes, Gibbs drove much to Kate's dismay. It was nicely decorated for this festive season, lots of red, green and gold. There was a Christmas tree in the corner covered in tinsel, sparkling lights; which faded into different colours, and an assortment of baubles. It wasn't overly decorated, which would've spoilt it. The faint sound of music played away in the background, not too loud and not too low that you couldn't hear it. It was very cosy. Kate loved it in here and was surprised that Gibbs had know it was her favourite place to have a quiet meal.

They all sat quietly at the table, neither knowing how to start. They looked at one another, Kate nodded for Gibbs to start off. "Well, you're probably wondering why we asked you guys to lunch?" they nodded and he continued, "Kate and I are…sort of…together." he looked at their faces. Abby looked extremely happy and Ducky's expression was a mixture of happiness and concern. He carried on "I stayed with Kate last night." Abby looked like she was about to explode.

"Last night…" he paused, "Charlie hit Kate."

"Charlie did that?" Abby was utterly shocked, most of the joy she had felt just seconds ago suddenly faded. Wait 'til she got her hands on him, she will kill him.

"Gibbs came in and threw him out. I don't what would have happened if he hadn't turned up." Gibbs held her hand, squeezed it lightly and gave her small smile. She was glad she had him with her. They explained everything that had happened and as for what was going to happen, they weren't sure. They chatted and discussed other topics, Abby brought up the whole Secret Santa ordeal, again.

"Have you guys got your gifts yet?" no replies, "Oh come on guys, you've only got until Christmas Eve to get the gifts. Time is a ticking."

When they arrived back, they were greeted by the sound of Tony giving McGee a hard time about how bad he was at some online game, "You suck McGee! I've see 5 year old girls play better than you."

"I can't work the keys properly." he defended.

"Yeah, whatever." he scoffed as he slapped the younger agents hands away from his keyboard.

"Your keys are greasy." McGee said as he sat back at his own desk.

"Can I tell them? Pretty please?" Abby begged Gibbs and Kate. Before they left the restaurant Abby dragged Kate to the ladies and very nearly, almost squeezed out every ounce of air in her. They had a quick girly talk and Kate promised to let Abby know everything and anything in future. She would always be there for her, no matter what, she was like a sister to her. They had each others backs. Thank God for Air Force One and Gibbs of course without whom Kate wouldn't be here if he hadn't offered her a job. They'd hit it off straight away talking about guns and tattoos and they've been best friends ever since that day.

"Sure."

"Yay!" she squealed, Gibbs thought he' had gone deaf in his right ear. "Guys, guys guess what?"

"What?" DiNozzo said as he concentrated on his game. Abby frowned and walked over to his desk and squinted at his screen, she flicked it off earning a groan from Tony, "Abby."

"Well listen. Gibbs and Kate are together." she jumped up and down like a child who was told they could have ice-cream after dinner.

"Wow, since when?" McGee asked as he walked over to congratulate them. He had known that they liked each other. A lot.

Ziva and Paula almost ran to hug her, "That is great." "Amazing." they exclaimed. Tony laughed, "This is a joke, right?" he was met with four serious faces. "No kidding?" Gibbs shook his head. "I knew there was another reason you hired her." he said as he moved out of his chair to shake Gibbs' hand and hug Kate.

Gibbs extended his hand, DiNozzo did the same but just as he neared Gibbs pulled his hand away and slapped the back of Tony's head, "Sorry boss."

"What about Charlie?" Paula asked the question they all wanted an answer to.

"And what happened to your lip?" Ziva asked.

Kate and Gibbs sighed, they explained everything to the rest of the team. A fair amount a threats had been made towards Charlie, mostly by Ziva and DiNozzo. They felt sorry for Kate but were happy that she was now with Gibbs, he wouldn't dare hurt her in anyway. If he ever did he would have the whole team to answer to.

"Don't forget you've got until Christmas Eve to get your Secret Santa gifts." Abby said happily.

"Argh." they all moan in unison.

Review! Next chapter coming real soon.